PROHIBITION AND TRADE

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XVIII, Issue 1036, 13 January 1910, Page 22

PROHIBITION AND TRADE

A PRONOUNCED SHRINKAGE. ATTRIBUTED TO NO-LICENSE. During the past week a reporter of the Eketahuna Express instituted inquiries as to the condition of trade in ..Eketahuna so far as cash receipts were concerned, and elicited the fact that ’ although there was more cash in circulation during Christmas week than for the corresponding period last year, there was a pronounced shrinkage in the cash takings, for the months of October, November and December. Asked for an unbiased opinion as to the: shrinkage in trade, a prominent citizen, who is in business, attributed it chiefly to no-license. “It is a fact beyond dispute,” he said, that the country people north of Newman, who

in previous years made Eketahuna their place of call, now take the train for Pahiatua and elsewhere, and with them go their cash. No-license has lamentably failed so far. It has not decreased the consumption of liquor as anyone can ascertain by watching the different avenues whereby liquor comes into town and district, while the present scarcity of cash explodes the theory that no-license increases the spending capacity of the individual.

Still another local resident was of the opinion that money was not being saved under the new conditions. The Railway returns provided amazing information, and in addition to this constant supplies were obtained from a neighbouring town by road. For instance, the day before Christmas one load of liquor only was brought in by a lorry and four horses, while similar carriers had been kept very busy. “ I want you to let the public know my opinion of no-license,” remarked a visitor from the Manawatu district ” to the writer on Boxing Day. “Hitherto,” he stated, “I have always voted no-license, but after what I have seen in Eketahuna I am satisfied that open drinking in licensed houses is preferable to the existing conditions. It is no wonder that business people complain of scarcity of cash considering that those whom I know to be moderate drinkers now make bars of their homes. I was thunderstruck at the number of half-intoxicated persons who paraded the streets, even on Sunday night when people were going to church, such a spectacle to be seen rarely in licensed districts. It seemed .to me that sly drinking—by this I mean drinking done in private homes and at different back doors—was heavier than open drinking when the licensed houses existed. I was invited to the back premises on one establish-

ment and what was taking place there astounded me. Around the table heavily laden with bottled beer and whisky, sat a number of young fellows who simply poured the stuff down their throats as fast as the glasses could be filled, and all got gloriously exhilarated, and without fear of police interference for after-hour drinking. I have never seen anything in open bars to equal this exhibition of drinking. I am fully satisfied that more decency obtains in districts where license exists, and did those who so strenuously advocated no-license get a glimpse behind the scenes as I have done, nothing but no-license-no liquor would suffice for them.”