LIQUOR AT CLUBS

New Zealand Herald, Volume 82, Issue 25177, 14 April 1945, Page 10

LIQUOR AT CLUBS

EX-SOLDIERS' PROPOSAL POSITION OF MAORIS (P.A.) WELLINGTON, Friday The difficulty under the existing law of supplying liquor to Maori members at Returned Services Association functions was alluded to by Mr A. T. Duncan, solicitor, in evidence on behalf of th:> Dominion executive of the R.S.A. to the Royal Commission on licensing. "Our Maori brethren have shown such wonderful valour in the present war that we are of the opinion that no invidious distinctions should be made against them at our functions," he said. He had written to the Police Department, and the committee, he said, was most anxious to find a solution to the problem. He said further representations would be made by the Rotorua branch of the R.S.A. when the commission sat later in Auckland. The views of the organisation concerning liquor matters were put forward by the general secretary, Mr S. J. Harrison, who said that the granting of charters to their clubs would result in members "drinking there rather than in hotels, and would also foster Rood fellowship. It would mean an alteration in the law, but it would be a graceful tribute to the men who served their country. Mr Harrison submitted that it would be in the public interest that the comradeship of the R.S.A. should be fostered in every way in order that membership might be maintained at the highest possible level.

In response to questioning, witness said that if charters were granted he believed the management would be in the hands of responsible citizens of good repute. "At the present time we have no control over the drinking of our young returned soldiers, and for that reason I believe that the granting of charters would be of great assistance," said Mr Samuel Frickleton, V.C., a former Army captain and now house manager at the Wellington R.S.A. Club. Liquor, in his opinion, should be served at tables and under comfortable conditions.

A decision to make application to give evidence before the Royal Commission on licensing was made at a meeting of the executive committee of the Auckland Returned Services Association on Thursday night). The president, Mr A. P. Postlewaite, and Mr H. Metcalf were appointed to represent the association. CHARGE OF THEFT OWED BOOKMAKER MONEY "When betting is allowed on credit, it always seems to end the same way. A man will do almost anything to pay his bookmaker, even stealing money from his employer," said Mr .T. H. Luxford. S.M., yesterday, when Francis Eric Roberts, milk roundsman, aged 32, pleaded guilty to fraudulently omitting to account for £l7 to his employer, the Auckland Milk Co., Ltd., thereby committing theft. Accused said he had owed his bookmaker £ls. The magistrate admitted him to probation for 18 months and ordered restitution at. the rate of £2 a week. COMMITTEE ELECTIONS INTERMEDIATE SCHOOLS The annual election of parents' representatives on the committees of most of the intermediate schools under the

control of the Auckland Education Board will be held on May 2. Nominations will close on April 24. In addition

to parents' representatives each intermediate school committee has representatives appointed by the committees of its contributing primary schools. The schools for which committees will be elected are the new Balmoral Intermediate School, the Kowhai, Manukau and Pasadena Intermediate Schools, the Otahuhu Technical High School and the Northcote, Te Awainutu and Waihi District High Schools. The four secondschools are included, as each has an intermediate department. There has been no announcement yet of an election of a committee for the new Avondale Intermediate School. As this school and the Avondale Technical High School are in the same grounds.

the Kducntion Board has recommended one _ committee for both; but a decision 011 the matter is being awaited from the Kducntion Department. Jn the case of the new Normal Intermediate School there will he no election, the regulations requiring Normal schools to remain directly under the control of the board. A I'arent-Teachers' Association has been formed for the school. The election of primary school committees is held biennally, the next election being due in May of next year. TABLE TENNIS The Auckland Table Tennis Association opened the season with a handicap tournament. Record entries were received and over CO firstseason players participated. In the men's section the champion, F. Pafon, proved too superior for his opponents, winning the final by a Rood margin. In winning the final of the ladies' section Miss M. Guthrie was fully extended by Miss V. Manoah. A special trophy was awarded to J. McAnnally for winning through to the final of the men's singles.