THE NATIONAL EFFICIENCY REPORT.

Free Lance, Volume XVII, Issue 891, 3 August 1917, Page 8

THE NATIONAL EFFICIENCY REPORT.

The Liquor Recommendations

may be thought of the * T recommendations made by the National Efficiency Board, it cannot be. said that the Board lacks courage or is devoid of originality in its views upon the various questions with which it has had to deal. The, . recommendations made in the liquor question will, of course, excite widespread and animated discussion. For our own part we are strongly opposed to a referendum being taken on the question of prohibition-—eveu with compensation. If we are going to have a referendum on one question we must be prepared to have it on others. Government by referendum is a very slipshod way of doing things, and would, in the long run, play into the hands of the Socialists and Labour Extremists with., we' fear, the-most''disastrous consequences' to the trade and commerce, of the country. If a*. Parliament of duly elected representatives" of the. public has not the ability and courage to conduct its legitimate business and each and every 'question of political, industrial, and social reform, real or alleged, is to be thrown before the country to wrangle over like a bone by a crowd of hungry dogs, then why have a Parliament at all with its cumbrous and expensive machinery ? . * • ' ■ ■ ■' * "Whatever be done with regard to the liquor trade, we tuust there will be no. recourse to the referendum -principle, but if we are to have a referendum on this subject, with all -the." concomitant expense and clamour of 'the rival parties, then the House should insist upon the principle of State control being submitted as one of the issues to. be decided by the popular vote. Also, upon a subject of such importance, means should be provided for extending the referendum voting to the men at the Front and in England.

On certain minor recommendations on -the liquor business we are in agreement with the,opinions of the Board.We do not, however, agree with the proposal that whether Prohibition be carried or not ther,e should be a complete stoppage of ..packet or steamer licenses. On transports and hospital ships it is, of course, desirable, that no liquor should be sold. But •we fail to see how national efficiency can be increased by depriving the passengers on coastal and intercolonial steamers of the right to nse alcoholic refreshments in moderation. It has been said that there is too much drinking on the .ferry steamers, but, as has been j>ointed out by. the Union Company's officials, such abuse as may have occurred is due to passengers taking liquor oh board with them. The. stopping of the "bottle sale." as recommended b/ the Board,, wo ill d put an end to this, and it would, we think, be quite an ext«me and unjustifiable measure to turn every New 'Zealander, who travels by sea, into a eompiilsory teetotaller.