H.—43.

12

show posters in addition to the censorship of films. At a later date the Board advised the Government that it had considered the question of waste and want of efficiency arising out of public amusements, and that, although the Board did not then recommend that picture-shows should be closed in the afternoon, it expressed its opinion that no great good resulted to the community from their being open, and that when the time arrives for the systematic dilution of men's labour by female labour the Board might have to recommend that public entertainments during the usual hours of labour should be prohibited, except under special license. Liquor Trade. An inquiry respecting the advisabileness of the restriction, continuance, or abolition during war conditions of the vending of wine, beer, and spirits was commenced by the Board in Wellington on the 23rd May, and the taking of evidence upon this subject was continued for eight days. This evidence has been fully considered, and the Board on the 9th instant submitted its recommendations on the subject. From a national-efficiency point of view the Board recommended that whilst it was convinced that it would be beneficial to the nation and conducive to the well-being of the people if the importation, manufacture, and sale of wine, beer, and spirituous liquors were prohibited, yet it recognized that the question of national prohibition is one which should be submitted- to the voice of the people, and it therefore recommended that legislation should be enacted providing for the issue to be submitted to a vote of the people at the earliest possible moment, and that such vote should be upon the basis of immediate prohibition accompanied by reasonable compensation to the interests affected. The Board included in its report recommendations as to the lines upon which compensation should be assessed. The Board further recommended that whether or not the Government accepts the suggestion to take a vote on the national-prohibition question, there should be passed as speedily as possible legislation to provide, amongst other things, for a limitation in the hours of sale and for the observance of public holidays in the liquor trade; that all alcoholic liquors retailed must be sold only for consumption on the premises, and that heavy penalties should be provided for the removal of alcoholic liquor except in fulfilment of wholesale orders; that the law should be amended so that it should be provided that the minimum wholesale quantity that can be purchased should consist entirely of the same class of liquor; that records should be kept of the deliveries of all alcoholic liquors both to private persons and to the holders of retail licenses, and that penalties be imposed upon any persons taking alcoholic liquor into any place of business; that all packet licenses and conditional licenses be abolished. It further recommended that the strength of spirits sold be reduced. Prohibition of the Importation of Luxuries. The Board had under its consideration the great economic waste by the expenditure on goods which are not necessary, and the extravagant luxuriousness in living which exists in the Dominion, and which in the opinion of the Board is very undesirable under present war-time conditions, particularly in view of the possibility of times of difficulty prior to matters becoming normal again. After viewing the subject from various aspects the Board decided that the best method of promptly dealing with the problem was by the prohibition of the importation of certain classes of goods. Accordingly, on the sth June the Board transmitted to the Govern-' ment a schedule of articles the importation of which should, in their opinion, be prohibited in the interests of the community during the continuance of the war and for twelve months thereafter, subject, always to special importation under license by permission of the Minister of Customs. The Board believes that before long the schedule as submitted may have to be added to; and the Board recently has further considered whether more goods could not be prohibited either partially or by a limitation of price, especially in respect to the drapery trade, but regrets that after drawing up preliminary proposals and submitting same to the Customs authorities it was advised that the carrying-out of these would involve a great deal of additional work with which the Department would be unable to cope owing to its present depleted staff. It is with great regret, therefore, that the Board has decided that it cannot proceed further in this direction. Upon this question, as upon the various matters to which reference has already been made, the Board is emphatically of opinion that as a basic principle to secure national efficiency both now and after the war it is necessary and fundamental to correct extravagance and prevent economic waste. By the inculcation of public and private economy and general example by those in positions of authority much can be done to that end, which must be attained if any results comparable to the necessities of the times are to be achieved. The Board at the request of the Minister of Customs advised him in regard to certain restrictions on importations, Non-essential Works (Local and General Government); Mines-development; Port Efficiency; New Zealand Time. Local Bodies' Works. In order to ascertain whether local publio works could be reduced during the period of the war, or as to whether there was any loss of efficiency in connection with the work of local authorities, the Board on the 12th March issued a circular to all local authorities throughout the Dominion asking for reports dealing with the possible reduction or postponement of non-essential works until after the termination of the war, and the possibility of the employment of female labour, and seeking particulars as to what works the authorities had in prospect that could be