MAORIS AND LIQUOR

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 5, Issue 51, 11 May 1942, Page 4

MAORIS AND LIQUOR

Sir,—As one of those wlio, although not related to the Maori, has spent over half a century as their neighbour, I Avisli to thank you for your forceful leader in the Beacon on May 1 in the defence of the Maori people and against their destruction by the liquor trade. Perhaps it is scarcely fair to single, out the taxi drivers for all the blame, for among private car drivers there are some who are not ashamed to take alcohol to Maori women and girls for the same purpose that they take it to European dances. There appears to be a belief that the police have a free hand in trying to keep excessive drinking within bounds, but like all civil servants they have to keep an eye on the wishes of the Minister in charge and the latter has to be guided by the electors, who at the last election -by a large majority, approved of the destructive work of the liquor traffic. If Ave should lose the Avar, the supporters of the trade Avill have played a big part in our downfall, in the same Avay that luxury and, liquor sealed the fate of past nations which now only exist in historySome of the big city neAvspapers, by letterpress and cartoons, are Avorking hard to train more customers among the young of both Maori and Pakeha to fill the down slides in the drinking saloons. Many years ago a visit to our lakes and river banks showed large areas in potatoes and vegetables for the use of Maori families, but today this land has reverted to blackberry and ragwort. When asked how they now live they say that they have pensions and rents for the lakes and this gives them time to emulate the Avhite man in the drinking saloons and billiard rooms, [t might he better if the authorities handed the money direct. to the "trade" Avithout having to serve.alcohol to the Maori, although this would restrict the training of future customers. During the last Great War an American journal said that Britain had three enemies, Germany, Austria and the liquor trade and the most dangerous Avas the last named. If Ave Avcre in a position to vieAV the Avork disinterestedly, we aa t ouUl be alarmed to read that aac cannot obtain Avoraens' stockings, but have money enough to send out nine millions for grog and also allow manpower to be used in making a re-* cord production in brewing, while homes of married men are broken up to provide for the shortage in food production and men for the fighting line.

It is unfortunate that, among the reputedly non-drinlcing part pf our community there so many with "FEET OF CLAY"