WAR REGULATIONS.

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2705, 26 February 1916, Page 6

WAR REGULATIONS.

That the Government entertained some apprehensions in regard to the irregular" supplying of liquor _ to soldiers is clear from the Order-in-Coun-cil, which, on February 16 last, added tlio following' clauses to the War Regulations Act," 1914(1) No person shall sell any intoxicating- liquor -to. any member of the; Defeiico Forces, [or to. any member of, ; tho Expeditionary Forces wlien in •uniform, for consumption elsewhere than on the premises where it is sold. . (2) No shall give or supply o- act as agent for tho purchase of any intoxicating liquor for any member of the J)cfenco Forces when in uniform, for consumption elsewhere than on the premises wlicre it is given : supplied, or purchased.;;,, , . It is considered by some that tlio Government's powers to make .. tlie above regulations would also enable it to fix "by Order-in-Ooiuicil, the

hours of sale in licensed premises, but legal opinion., in' certain quarters contends that Parliamentary sanction would require to be invoked before tho latter restrictions could be imposed. THE MOVEMENT IN AUSTRALIA MR. MEAGHER'S CENSURE MOTION By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright Sydney, February 25. The Labour Council lias appointed a deputation to ask Senator Poarce, Actiug Federal Premier, to lift the liquor embargo. It is stated that the unexpected publicity of Sir. Meagher's attack on Senator Pearce has seriously prejudiced tho chances ol' his succeeding with his motion of censure. , Tho motion will probably bo withdrawn. ' PUBLIC OPINION r the wet canteen. ■ ■ " (To the Editor.) Sir; —I consider tho liquor question at the present time is only another instance of private individuals reaping extra: profits through the war. In my ..opinion it is toiumy-rot to talk of closing .the hotels at G p.m., as it would mean a ding-dong stoke-up during-the fast- hour,' besides making things unpleasant for . business people on their way home from work. The best allround solution is the institution of the wet canteen. This would, to a certain, extent, do away with the evil of shouting 'that goes on between soldier and civilian. On the other hand, the profits 7 .'derived from a well-managed cantebri could be devoted to the numerous "war funds that exist. It's not a bit ;of good for a certain section of the community trying to delude themselves and others that by closing the hotels at.-6 -p.m. the drinking qualities of the soldier would bo lessened. If a soldier ivants a soak (and there's about one. iri'r'a thousand that does) no amount of reduced hours will prevent him getting Iris soak. Besides, what a facer it •would bo for the returned heroes of A'lizac and Suvla Bay to see what was thought of their efforts. There are only two sides to this ever-dominant question, Slid they are: Booze —no booze. In other , words license —nolicense. Until we all think alike, let he have the wet canteen —and quickly, too.—l am, etc., WET CANTEEN. WAITING PATIENTLY. Sir, —My letter to yoiir issue of the 23rd inst., calling attention to the apparent v aguoriess of • tho movement for 6 o'clock closing, which many believe will have a vicious effect in stirring up section strife, has evidently struck hard in a soft quarter. The letters of "Dark Horse" and "Mee-oew" scarcely do credit to the pretensions of the movement with which they are connected. _ Clumsy attempts at levity (which is evidently a foreign state for the writers},' and abusive misrepresentation (at which'they certainly may be more at home) are not argument. I do not intend to deal further w'ith the matter until something tangible is .put forward by the promoters. Perhaps this may be forthcoming from tho further meeting which has been announced for to-day. Certainly, up to the present, nothing whatever has been advanced in justification of the proposed restriction. So far as the question of anonymity responsibility_ rests _ with t the original -movers in this affair, whoso identity at the'moment of writing still remains *to be disclosed. "Dark Horse," whose attitude is merely childish, should have lived up to his sporting reputation and . "come to light" himself. You, Sir, as editor, have my name'and address and are aware of my ■bona fides. Let us stick to the point. Personal recriminations and disputes over lioin de plumes will not bring us any nearer a solution of the problem as to whether club and hotel bars should be closed at 6 p.m. or not. I wait patiently for the advocates of the restriction to make their case. —I am, CtC- ' • DIOGENJSS.