Dear Sir,

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 10, Issue 18, 30 August 1946, Page 4

Dear Sir,

Letters to the Editor must be clearly written on one side of the paper only and where a nom-de-plume is used the name of the writer must be included for reference purposes. The Editor reserves the right to abridge, amend or withhold any letter or letters.

“DRINKING AND DRINKING’’ Sir, —Your recent article on this subject was quite interesting reading, and, no doubt, to those who do not know the other side of the story, quite encouraging. But that there is another side to it, may I quote an editorial from an Australian periodical received recently. Under the heading “Proof of the Pudding” this editor states: “Once again, we have been afforded the chance of comparing an actual performance with what was promised. Prevailing drunkenness was due to abnormal wartime conditions, we were told, combined with “rush” drinking during the sessions, compulsory under National Security Regulations. Once the war was over and trading hours were extended, things would soon revert to normal, we were assured, and drunkenness would rapidly diminish. Extended trading hours came into force on May 6—lo a.m. to 10 p.m. Not many hotels had sufficient supplies to keep open for the w T hole perod, but in general hours were, very considerably extended right from the outset, so that people had the much-desired additional time to consume their drinks and so avoid getting drunk. And yet . . . “A 36 per cent, increase in drunkenness is shown in city watchhouse charge sheets for the first week of the extended trading hours” reported Brisbane “Telegraph” on May 15. “Additional drunkenness cases are mainly the result of spirit drinking during the ldnger" hours.” So once again the cold figures of the statistician arise to confound the prophets of “sane drinking.” No doubt they will think up some alibis to explain the phenomenon; it would never do to let the idea get about that people drink more in two hours than they do in one because there are 120 minutes in two hours and only 60 minutes in one hour. But just let it be recorded in advance that May, 1946, was one of the most perfect, from a weather point of view, that can be imagined. Beautiful sunshiny days and mild nights folowed each other inperfect monotony. There was no hot weather calculated to drive the thirsty beerseeker to his favourite beverage, nor did Jack Frost intrude ever so little so that the spirit-drinker went after something calculated (though not necessarily guaranteed) to “warm him up.” In fact a more uncongenial atmosphere than the inside of a pub the whole month of May it would be difficult to imagine.” We see from the above that this particular editor is anything but satisfied with the results of extended hours, and the police figures he quotes from Brisbane are evidently unquestionable. The cry “Reduce drunkenness by extending the hours” is just another red herring that by blinding the eyes of some of the public helps to ensure those ever-increasing profits for the drink traffic. But you can’t blind the eyes of all the public all the time! V

Yours etc., TRUTH WILL OUT.

TIMBER SUPPLIES Sir, —Can you enlighten me please. How did the Hall Committee, Thornton, get timber for such an unessential thing as extensions to a hall, when applications have been in for over 12 months for two hay barns and several houses. I suppose the young and those not so young should have their dances and amusement in comfort, while the Digger who was away must‘wait although probably the committee put in their application while the serviceman was overseas. Still I suppose halls should come before housing. Houses are places to go when there is nothing on in the halls. Thanking you Sir. Yours etc., “WONDERING.” (In response to our corresponr dent’s query we have no explanation or information to giv'e .on the above subject. Ed.) . .. in. i .I i 1.... - -