STRONG DRINK – GERMANY'S BEST ALLY.

White Ribbon, Volume 21, Issue 243, 18 September 1915, Page 1

STRONG DRINK - GERMANY'S BEST ALLY.

On May ist, 1015, the House of Commons ordered to be printed the official report of ‘‘Bad Time kept in Shipbuilding, Munitions, and Transport Areas M It was a voluminous document, covering 30 pages of foolscap size. We give some of the facts from that report, and black facts they are. We ask our readers to make them as widely known as possible, getting them into local papers if they can do so In the case of 135 fitters employed on submarine engine work, each man on an average did three-quarters of an ordinary day’s work. Small wonder that Germany is credited with building submarines faster than we do. Reports show that the lost time at one shipyard by rivetters equalled 35 per cent, of the normal; platers, 25 per cent.; and driliers, 22 per cent. The manager of works on N.K. Coast, where large quantities of shell are manufactured, states that if the two public-houses just outside the works could he closed his output would be largely increased.” In one yard, out of 211 rivetters employed, only 13 lost no lime in one week. Sixteen were absent the whole week; 11 were absent 40 hours or over; 14 lost 30 hours or over; lost 20 hours or over; 50 lost 10 hours or over, and so on. The Captain-Super-intendent of the Clyde reports; —“In a shipyard last week, where a warship is under repair, work on the inner bottom of the ship was so badly car-

ried-out as to >uggest at once on inspection that it could not have been done by men who were sober. It was dangerous, and h.td to be condemned.”

The Shipbuild ng Kmployers’ Federation sent a deputation, whic h stated that, speaking with the experience of from 25 to 40 years, they believed that No per cent, of the present avoidable loss of time could be* ascribed to no other cause than drink. The. figures of weekly takings in public-houses near the yard were convincing evidence of the* increased sale of liquor. The deputation submitted figures for the month of March, which showed th.it of each 1000 iron-workers employed, only 24 per cent, worked over the normal hours, while (>4O out of every 1000 worked loss than normal hours.

To prevent early morning drinking, public-houses by the Clyde were kept closed till 10 a.m. What did the patriotic publican do? Why, he* put up numbers of bottles varying in price* from bd to 2s, so that the men could carry them away before closing time, for use next morning. The Director o* Transports told how “Yesterday 'he crew of a transport deserted. The same J. ng happened the day before. The firemen go on board the transports drunk, making it impossible to get up a full head of ‘'team, so greatly redu< ing the speed and endangering the lives of thousands of troops by making the' vessels a target for submarines.”

“We sent 250 dock labourers to Havre (France) under capable civilian supervision. They all got drunk, and out of hand in the first fortnight.

‘ln one case troops were badlv needed at the front ; icxio were placed on board a transport at Southampton, ond in two or three hours should have been in France. But the firemen were drinking, and a delay of 24 hours took place, and the* troops had o be transferred to another ship.” The Director adds: “To-day I find a transport required for urgent military service, to prepare for which should occupy seven days, will take 22 days to complete.” The officer in charge of the British Channel reports: “Twenty-six ships delayed through desertions, resulting in total delay of 34 days 6 hours, almost entirely due to drink.” Another South Coast transport officer cites typical cases: (1) Seamen under influence of drink; captain and Dilot clear ropes away, and take ship our themselves. (2) Men on shore all re turned drunk: ship unable to put out to sea.” With facts like these before it, with the example and request of His Majesty, Lord Kitchener, Knglish fudges, and Archbishops before it, still the Government refuses to deal drastically with this traffic. Why? Because it is afraid of the brewers and distillers. These most unpatriotic of men care nothing for the welfare of their country. All they think or care for are their dividends

In the “Australian Brewers’ Journal,” April 20th, 1015, page 353, an official writer, referring to the armament and munition worker at Home, says: “If I were in his place, I should drink until the cows come home, and damn everything.”

And what are we New Zealanders doing The Australian Governors and many public men have followed the King’s example and banished liquor from their homes. Dunedin L'nion wrote asking His Kxcellency if he intended to fall into line w ith others in following the King’s example. A reply as sent to them that “their letter had been received.” The New Zealand Union then asked that liquor should be banished from Bellamy’s during the war period. The members, by a secret ballot vote, decided to retain liquor at Bellamy’s. After this the petition was considered by A to L Committee, and by it reported to the favourable consideration of the Government, but we have heard no more of it.

Now a petition is before the House asking for hotel bars to be dosed at 6 p.m. during the war. Will every elector who favours this very moderate reform write or wire his member that he expects him to support the petition and bring pressure to bear upon the Government to introduce the necessary legislation?