SOLDIERS AND LIQUOR.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 12776, 21 October 1919, Page 8

SOLDIERS AND LIQUOR.

* CHARTERED CLUBS SUGGESTED.

A DECISIVE REJECTION.

[Per Press Association.] WELLINGTON, October 21

At to-day’s session of the Returned Soldiers’ Conference Mr J. Petherick (Christchurch) moved—“ That this conference requests Parliament to grant R.S.A. Clubs charters to enable them to sell alcoholic beverages.” Tho mover pointed out that it was the soldiers who bad prevented New Zealand from becoming a prohibition count] y. He urged that charters would keep the clubs. Mr V. Potter (Auckland) seconded the motion pro forma. He objected to the liquor issuo being brought into R.S.A. affairs. Mr N. Clung (Kawa Kawa) said that as a prohibitionist ho would move that the motion bo now put. This was seconded by Air 11. B. Bell (Wairoa). Mr Petherick said this was a little gag on the part of opposition to prevent the question being properly discussed and fairly put. Ninety-five per cent of the soldiers ho said, had voted ip favour of license. A delegate interjected: “Not in favour of liquor in soldiers’ clubs.” Mr Petherick contended that chartered soldiers’ clubs would be better able to govern the supply of liquor to members than under the presentsystem with men drinking in hotels. The closure was carried, and Air Pothorick’s motion was then put and decisively rejected bv 39 to 2.