CREDIT TO UNIFORM

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 86, Issue 117, 21 May 1942, Page 3

CREDIT TO UNIFORM

SENIOR-SERGEANT SPEAKS UP FOR SOLDIERS ON LICENSED PREMISES AFTER HOURS (P.AJ Blenheim, May 20. An idea of the impracticability 01 the present licensing laws now that the country is on a war looting was given in Lne Magistrates Court wlien a case was dealt with involving a notelKeeper and a number oi soiuiers round alter hours on the premises. “1 can see the difficulty Inal military training prevents tnese men from getting dnnK in the hours laid down by the Act," remarked the magistrate, Mi T. E. Maunsell. “That is the unfortunate part of the whole thing, ft is pretty hard; agreed Senior-Sergeant Smyth. “Some oi these men speak pretty roughly about it at times. They say that when they are not being lollowed about by a bugler they are being fob lowed about by the police. Tnese men should have some consideration. I’hey ate very well conducted on the whole. They are a credit to the uniform. 1 don’t know why it is a sin every time \ou see a soldier having a drink." Mr. Maunsell said he was in the same difficulty as tie police. “1 can't wink an eye at it, as it is against the iaw." he explained. A Territorial officer in Court agreed that the soldiers had not an opportuni’.,- loi getting in foj a drink during tiazmng hours, in addition, all they handled of their pay was half a crown a c. cy. M>. Maunsell: “I can't help it. It is where the law stands.” £c bsequently the magistrate said he would reduce the several lines ot 10s and costs he had ancady imposed on the soldiers found on the hotel