STARTLING FACTS

Opotiki News, Volume III, Issue 323, 18 October 1940, Page 3

STARTLING FACTS

INCREASE IN DRINKING MIN ESTERS’ ATTIT UDE \ At flic monthly meeting of the Gisborne Ministers’ Association, held recently, states the Gisborne Herald, some startling facts ' were revealed in a petition shortly to bo made available to the publ.o for endorsement and presen led to the Government, urging for the duration of the war and six months thereafter tlie following reforms:

(a) Reduction of (I) the facilit.es lor the sale of liquor, (2) the present hours of sale, and (3) the alcoholic content of beer. (b) Further restrictions on importation of liquor.

(c) Total restrictions cm sale, supply and delivery of liquor to any person between the hours of 0 p.m. and 9 a.m. (and during any hours in which bars are supposed to be closed), with rigid enforcement. • The upward trend of intemperance and lawlessness, as revealed by: the following facts, particularly at a time when the people were being' urged to conserve their energy and resources in the prosecution cf a vigorous war effort, was regarded as very disturbing: Charged, but not previously convicted, 1935 1139, •1084; drunkenness convictions, 3.160, 5075 ; liquor consumption Tier capita, 1933 5.9 gals., 1939 11.09 gals.; drunk-in-charge convictions, 287, 087 ; deaths from car accidents, 120, 248; indecent assault, 1038 3 02, 1039 149; carnally knowing girls under 16, 29, 119; liquor-seller convictions, 1914-18 average 194, 1939 528.