LIQUOR AND WAR

New Zealand Herald, Volume 79, Issue 24243, 8 April 1942, Page 2

LIQUOR AND WAR

| gi r) —"The Government welcomed the voluntary measures undertaken by the trade, but if they proved ineffective the Government would have no hesitation in introducing compulsory ones which would be effective." : ; . . This reply from the Prime Minister to serious public alarm at the rampant evils of the liquor traffic is the very negation of leadership. Because of rfcg utter futility, when strong action is already overdue, it is damaging to public morale and thus a grave offence to all responsible people. I expected more from Mr. Fraser. Distrust is a terrible thing to come between a Prime Minister and the people in wartime, yet this is where the liquor traffic is driving us. Why is it that fathers, sons and daughters are "conscripted" from their homes, loved ones, farms, businesses and worldly possessions while the Prime Minister "welcomes voluntary measures" from the liquor traffic, which in the third year of war amount only to an unashamed public scandal? While Germany banishes alcoholic iicjuor in self denial, efficiency and discipline, we positively cannot drink our way to victory. The Government should act effectively now. In addition it is imperative that all chief wardens should be givpn full power in emergency to summarily close all liquor bars anS destroy all alcoholic beverages. A. J. ST ALL WORTHY.