"GROG SHOPS"

NZ Truth, Issue 1045, 5 December 1925, Page 6

"GROG SHOPS"

Give oumc thi* i nanrf To rut

His House In Order

REFORMS BADLY NEEDED

At the recent triennial referendum, Prohibition was defeated by a 36,177 majority — more than double Bung's 1922 majority. Not only was that a definite reply to the question of Prohibition, but it was also the Dominion's decisive answer to the policy of holding three-yearly polls on the liquor issue.

XFIKRB is ample proof that the pres--1 cnt method of holding polls is going out of favor, and the substantial increase m the State Control vote this year supports this contention. When the whole question is independently examined the inherent weaknesses of the system are plainly exposed. It is neither good business nor good sense, and it is to be sincerely hoped that the liquor issue will be shortly separated from the political one. It is probable that Prime Minister Coates will take this step, but m the meantime the necessity for it cannot be over- emphasised. Since, the touch-and-go 1919 poll when there was only a 3262 majority m favor of Continuance, the majority against Prohibition has steadily grown. BIG WASTE From these figures it is evident that the Prohibition Party is losing the country's support, and unless there is a'

very substantial and unexpected swingover within the next twelve months or. so, the party is at the head of a forlorn hope. / Why then continue to hold a poll once every three years? It is extremely unlikely that Prohibition will be carried and the placing of the issue before the electors is onfy adding to the already heavy burden of the taxpayers. Each liquor, referendum- costs approximately £100,000. Let us spend this money m some more productive direction, and, if we must still retain the liquor question, let the poll be held once evei-y nine years. t Few will gainsay that the liquor trade is m urgent need of reform. THE REASON Those who consistently vote Continuance realise this, just- as much as do the supporters of Prohibition. But while the present insecurity, of tenure remains Bung cannot be blamed for. not putting his house m order. He must be given security of tenure before he can be expected to improve the present standard. No man feels disposed to spend considerable sums m improving his busiriess when there is the chance that within three years he will be hunting another job. .The " way shares m brewery companies jumped up immediately after the poll is .proof of this fact. * ■■ ■ ■'•.■■- And the state of the trade at present makes it tho duty of the powers that

be to give Bung- the opportunity to improve the present unsatisfactory methods. As for the Drys, they should realise that the chance of obtaining Prohibition m New Zealand has vanished — at least for a considerable time. Let them join with the Wets m seeing that the trade is improved, and they will most assuredly receive greater support from the public. Then if the abuses continue — well, that will be altogether different. GROG SHOPS It is putting it mildly to say that the majority of bars m New Zealand are nothing but drinking shops. Seating accommodation is limited or there is none at all, and at certain hours of the day it is frequently necessary to push through a crush three, four or five deep to secure the desired "spot." Thus it is that the unpleasant, but highly descriptive, term "grog

shop" may be applied to so many New Zealand hotel bars? *The majority of drinkers like to take their "spot" m reasonable comfort and leisure; for if they are not as gossipy as women at afternoon tea, they do at least like to spin a few yarns over their whisky and sodas, their shandies or their pots of beer. Again the . present system does not make for moderate drinking. It is a matter of hustle; one, two, three; have it over and get out. REFORMS NEEDED It is indisputable that Continental people do not drink under such conditions, and not much is heard of Prohibition m France, Italy or Germany. The Drys would be doing the country a real service if, instead of rabidly supporting suppression, they changed their battlefront m order to obtain better drinking conditions: Improved conditions, better warranty of the liquor consumed, stricter inspection and even analysis, and better accommodation m bars, are the reforms so urgently needed. But it all hinges on the vexed question of the triennial referendum. Wipe the three-yearly polls out, and Bung will have the opportunity to introduce these reforms. He will most certainly do something, but if by any chance he does not, then, of course, he will have to be forced into capitulation.