EARLY CLOSING OF LIQUOR BARS

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2708, 1 March 1916, Page 6

EARLY CLOSING OF LIQUOR BARS

ACTION BY THE MODERATE . LEAGUE

: LETTER TO THE DEFENCE

MINISTER

A special meeting of the Executive of tlic .Nciv Zealand Moderate League, convened for the purpose of considering a request for co-operation in the movement in favour of the early closing of'liquor .bars during war time, was held .yesterday, when it was decided to address the following letter to the Blou. Jus. Allen (Minister of- Defence) "The New Zealand Moderate League' has been approached on behalf of the committee of ladies, who have recently started a movement to request Government to close ? hotel'and club bars throughout the Wellington Military District at 7 p.m., in the interests of our . soldiers,, and asked to co-operate therewith. It is understood that the ladies promoting the above-mentioned movement are joining with it a request for the establishment of 'wet canteens' at the camps. The latter proposal is in accordance with the expressed policy of. the members' of 'tlic Moderate League, who, in March of last year, asked that Government, subject to the approval of the military .authorities,' should give earnest consideration to the establishment of 'wet canteens' in the camps under'proper military regulations. This proposal, at the time, did not: meet with any response from iSovernment. Military Opinion Desired, "With regard to the question of early closing, the members of my executive feel that before they can coma to _a decision on the matter, some definite information should be provided by the , Defence Authorities, ' whereby the real >alue of the suggestion can bo gauged. "My executive want to malse it -per-, fectly clear that, as stated by thorn when asking last March tliat consideration should be given to the establishment of 'wet canteens,' they consider the Military Authorities to be the only competent judges as to what regulations should govern the soldiers in camp and on leave, and to reiterate their assurance of support to the crnment in carrying out those regulations. They feel that no pressure should bs brought to bear on the Government to carry out the particular views of sections of our civilian population unless there is an obvious negloot ofofficial duty. The Public's Point of View, "While the executivo of tho New Zealand Moderate League feci that their first duty is to. the State, • and that being so, that military exigencies must be placed first in this matter, they also have' a duty to perform to their largo body of members whoso social habits would be affected by the proposed chango. There is also the, general aspect of the matter, as to the ultimate result of a tomporary experiment of this kind, which might seriously affect the well-being of the people as a ivliolo and the good conduct of the houses licensed to sell liquor. In this respect the league has prepared a comprehensive programme of licensing reform which has now been in the hands of the Government'for some considerable time. _ These pofnts are mentioned to establish the claim for definite official information as to the part that indulgence in alcoholic refreshments has played with our Expeditionary Forces, and, in order that tho leaguo and its supporters may have a clear understanding of the position, my executivo would be glad if replies could be given on tho following definite points. '1. Has there been any material inefficiency of the Expeditionary Force and Reinforcements, now at the front, due to drunkenness'? '2. Is drunkenness a I material feature of the daily conduct of-tho camps in the Dominion? '3. How many men have been discharged from the Forces for drunkenness Y '4. Has drunkenness been responsible for retarding the training of the mo;i? . 'o. Have the soldiers done anything to their own detriment or the detriment of tho civil life of the Dominion through indulgence in alcohol, when in camp or on leave, that would justify a serious alteration of our civil law? "In asking respectfully for enlighten ment on the foregoing points, my executive direct me to state that they feel confident in assuring the support of the members of the league throughout New Zealand to any measures proved to bo essential for the well-being and efficiency of the Expeditionary Forces." —I am, etc., (Sgd.) R, A. ARMSTRONG, Dominion Secretary. To the War Necessities Commlttes. A letter was also sent to Mrs. A. G. Salmond, chairwoman of the . AVai Necessities Committee, as follows:— "Dear Madam, —At the request of Mrs. C. Earle, the president .of the league called a special meeting of the executive this afternoon, to considet the proposal for co-operation in tho movement for early closing of hotels and club bars and the establishment of 'wet canteens' at the camps. lam directed to inform you that the latter suggestion has the full support of my executive, -who look upon the setting up of 'wet canteens' as a real solution qf any difficulties that may exist with a section of our soldiers in regard to indulgence in alcoholic refreshment. My executive begs to congratulate the ladies' committee on having included this plank in their platform. In March of last year the league deputationised the Minister of Defence, and strongly' urged that, subject to the approval of the military authorities, tho Government should give favourable consideration to the establishment of 'wet canteens' under strict military regulations. Unfortunately the Government did not resjxmd to these recommendations, a copy of which, for your information, I beg to enclose herowith. "With regard to the proposal for tho early closing of hotel and club bars, the members of my executive feel that so important a chango warrants very careful consideration and full investigation, and as no evidence has been 60 far produced upon which a decision can be based, they have instructed mo to write to the Minister of Defence, asking for official replies to certain specific questions which should enable a sound judgment to be arrived at as to the real need and value of the suggested curtailment of hours. "My executive direct mo to state that any movement proved to be. essential for tho well-being and efficiency of our soldiers will have their hearty support, but consider that strong and definite reasons must be forthcoming before action is taken calculated to infringe tho civil rights of tho community."