THE LIQUOR TRAFFIC IN AUSTRALIA

White Ribbon, Volume 23, Issue 1, 1 March 1951, Page 6

THE LIQUOR TRAFFIC IN AUSTRALIA

And Steps T aken to Oppose !t By Rev. Robertson McCue A Commonwealth statistical bulletin shows that for twelve months June JO, 1*47, 12N,267,UU0 gallons of beer and stout were made in Australia. Beer is the most popular drink in Australia. We are not a wine-drinking people, and already the acquired wartime wine-drinking halnt is declining. It would sectn, however, that Australia is drinking more liquor than ever before. The question immediately arises, “Is the present trend likely to continue ; " To find an answer, >ve must consider the causes of increased drinking, and doubtless the chief cause of increased consumption is that we have experienced two world wars in some thirty years. Wai presents numerous opportunities for heroic service, both on and off the battlefield, but it also opens up the flood-gates of evil. Some Result* of Liquor Drinking The dire effects of Australia’s increased drinking are everywhere apparent and drunkenness is more widespread than ever, and in the current twelve months will possibly number some seventy-five thousand convictions. As it is estimated that not one m ten diunks is arrested, let alone convicted —the seriousness of the situation will he apparent to all. Road accidents are also a national problem. The following comparison is interesting. In the first five years of war, Australian casualties were 1fi.%1 killed and 6b,640 other casualties. In the same period 6.960 people were killed m accidents and 111,683 injured on our roads of Australia. These figures viewed in the light of the statement made by the District Coroner of Camden, N.S.W., are noteworthy. He said, “In ninety-nine per cent, of the inquests I have conducted 1 have found that road accidents have been cal led by Drink.’’ This and similar statements support the world-wide conviction that alcohol destroys more lives than war. In like proportion every other evil aided and abetted by liquor is increasing its hold on the community. In every detail of the nation’s life, alcohol is an increasing menace, which must he met and overcome by the forces of righteousness. Temperance Progress But, although % thr liquor traffic appears to have become, so strongly entrenched during the war years, it is in fact far from being secure. The amazing progress of Temperance reform. since its humble flag of liberty was raised about one hundred and fifty years ago, clearly presages King Alcohol’s ultimate and final overthrow.

In this brief day, the Christian Church, medical science, the insurance companies, economists and millions of earth's choicest souls, nave come to realise with Professor Sir Thomas Anderson Stewart, University of Sydney, tlut “Alcohol is the most soul-destroy-ing, liody-deslroying. nation-destroying substance ever known." Then alcohol wa« considered the elixir of life; now ’t is known to he a deadly poison. Professor Osborne of the Melbourne University said: “There is not an organ of the body, with which alcohol comes in contact, that is not iiritated and injured by it", and again, Professor Harvey Sutton declared recently that “Alcohol was obsolete and had no place in the modern world." Beverage use of alcohol is scientifically indefensible and owes its continuance to the foolish custom of social drinking, to its power to enslave its devotees and to its vast financial resources. The Need of Intensified Activity To meet Liquordom’s challenge, then, widespread and effective methods of up-to-date temperance education must be promoted. Our case is unanswerable. We have all the answers. The enemy’s propaganda is studiously misleading and unreliable. It is hacked, however, by millions of money and the assistance of friendly newspapers. Some Churches could do considerably more for the Temperance cause. The Church, thoroughly inspired, would he irresistible as the spearhead of Temperance reform. It is unfortunate that fewer temperance lessons arc given in Sunday Schools than previously. Then again, the Pulpit should more often resound with temperance sermons. Some religious papers could give more space to the cause. Then we must use the press, films, abundant literature and every |>ossil>le form of publicity to counteract liquor propaganda and so forward our great cause. The political fight for reform must never be neglected. Here, local option is the most successful weapon. Although Prohibition was repealed in USA., local option was widely retained and is forging ahead. Already more than 26 million Americans are living under Dry Law, and Prohibition again looms large on Uncle Sam’s horizon. In N.S.W., local option is still law, but is never implemented. Western Australia and Queensland have no provision for local option, while in South Australia it can operate on petition at the discretion of the Licensing Court. Tasmania provides for local option polls in Hobart every fourth >ear; elsewhere every third year on continuance or reduction. Members of Parliament are elected by local option to represent a district by majority vote. If a candidate wins his seat by one of a majority, he will take it. if his party have one of a majority in the House, they will immediately occupy the Treasury Benches

and rulk the country. Yet the right of local option* to control the liquor traffic What of the Future? Temperance Societies in every State of the Commonwealth and in New Zealand, are working zealously, as far circumstances w ill permit, but there is no short cut to temperance reform Methods that have already brought success must be intensified and new ones welcomed. Political and legal aspects must not be neglected. Temperance supporters must be put into positions of power. More highly qualified temperance enthusiasts must he discovered anti money to finance a great educational programme for the future provided. The success of Temperance Hotels in Queensland inspires encouragement for the battle ahead. A line of similar houses across Australia would refute the liquor argument that licensed hotels are a necessity for first-class accommodation. If all established work could be backed by a grqwing educational programme, the marvellous success achieved by the Temperance cause from its inception until the present time would he exceeded by the victories of the future. Let us pray, and plan, and saciifice for this great end.