THE COST OF DRINKING ALCOHOL

Wanganui Chronicle, 29 April 1950, Page 4

THE COST OF DRINKING ALCOHOL

Sir,—At the present time when, In spite of pledges, efforts again are being made to secure hotel licenses in the King Country with a view to Trust Profits and accommodation, the following facts should be remembered:—

In 1945 the Massachusetts State Drink Traffic Commission reported that the total annual State and Local revenue fsom the Liquor Trade during the period review was 13,139,266 dollars but that the cost of essential measures dealing with its evil effects, mental and criminal cases, accidents, absenteeism etc., was 107,474,953 dollars per annum. Add to this the higher National Welfare costs in character demoralisation, loss of life, ruination of homes, etc. The lowa State has a statue under which the one who provides firing is legally responsible for the recipient’s losses under 'its influence.

Readers of the Press World News will have noted that very high authorities in France state that their great and once dependable nation is being ruined by alcoholic beverages. The brain of their average citizen is so inured to alcohol that there is little apparent drunkenness but (he alcohol poison does deadly silent work with all the vital organs, thus causing the racial degeneration so deplored by patriots. In India the Bombay Province Legislature last year faced its alcohol problem realistically and sacrificed £6,750,000 annual revenue to gain freedom from the Liquor Trade by establishing Prohibition.

Some folk say that Prohibitionists are unpractical idealists but in fact they are pure realists in their attitude to our nation's deadliest enemy—the Alcoholic Beverage Habit. —I am. etc., A. J. SEAMER.