“MISTAKEN KINDNESS”

New Zealand Times, Volume XLII, Issue 9693, 22 June 1917, Page 7

“MISTAKEN KINDNESS”

LIQUOR & RETURNED SOLDIERS

AN APPEAL BY THE AOTINQPIUME MINISTER.

In tho course of his reply to th« 6 o'clock-closing deputation yesterday,' the Hon. Sir James Allen (ActingPrime Minister) said: “I want to beg all of you to assist, and the public throughout Now Zealand to assist us, with regard to the returned soldiers. This 6 o’clock closing is not going to ond tho evil so far as they are concerned. I .know , from .my. own experience that numbers through mistaken kindness —I doubt ‘ very much whether it is kindness at all or meant to bo kindness in many cases—arc supplying liquor illicitly, or more'or less openly, to returned soldiers. Tho practice is an evi lone, and is doing a great deal of harm to returned soldiers.” Mr John Hutcheson: “The menial hospitals are getting them;” To his mind, tho Minister continued, what would bo more, .effective than legislation would bo a healthy public opinion that would mean that no mafl or woman would offer any liquor to any returned soldier. He hoped that public opinion would grow in that direction. If they could cultivate such an opinion, one benefit at least would follow from the war. It was depressing to find that in some instances returned soldiers were getting ‘ into difficulties, not because they wanted’ the liquor themselves, but because other people led them to drink. Ho asked them aU to use to the utmost capacity their influence to prevent liquor being offered to men who didn’t want it. (Applause.)