DRINK DECREES IN FRANCE

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2711, 4 March 1916, Page 11

DRINK DECREES IN FRANCE

PROTECTING THE SOLDIER AND HIS HOME. War has Riven particular point and purpose to the campaign against drink, writes the Paris correspondent of the London "Times" on December 17. Temperance reformers in France were quick to see that they would obtain more by milking anti-alcoliolic regulaticns a matter of military urgency than by appealing to Parliament, which here, >a3 ill England, is peculiarly susceptible to tile liquor interest. And so, by insisting 011 the danger that the open cabaret presented to the national defence, they were able to induce the generals commanding the different districts to issue stringent orders limiting the sale of drink. Those regula-, tions wore adopted afterwards throughout Franco with the view of protecting the mobilised man everywhere from strongly alcoholised drink; but wine, beer and cider were untouched. Presently it was found advisable to includc women- and children among the IH'otectcd classes 011 the ground that the country owed it to its defenders to preserve their homes from, contamination. The danger was so real that M. Millerand issued a warning, during his term of office as Minister of War, that the separation allowance would be forfeited in cases of abuse. Tile warning was made more effective by the regulations being extended to tlie dependents of the soldiers. It was a me.isure t-hat earned universal approval. The public was moved by stories of spendthrift and dissipated wives, and the Minister put an end to them by a Ministerial decree which applied the new liquor legislation to women. To this he was incited by the active propaganda' of the temperance party, led by M. Fin'ot, editor of "La Revue," and the president of the "Alarmc," one of tho two chief societies engaged in this work. It has for honorary president M. Hibot, Minister of Finance, and HI. Albert Thomas, TJnder-Secrc-tarv of State for Munitions. ■ When the trade realised, that eighttenths of the population were placed in the protected category, by extending the regulations to all mobilised men and to' their wives and children, they showed :i great spirit of opposition. " Articles appeared in the newspapers pointing out the immensity of_ the interests represented .by the liquor industry, and claimin'g that it was as patriotic as any other part of the nation. This prona£anda seems to have inspired the Minister of the Interior, M. Malvy, to abate by a circular the asperities of the new regulations. The result is a fresh outbreak of reforming zeal on the part .of the temperance society. M. Finot -urges tho resignation of the Minister or the withdrawal of his circular. Alcohol for Munitions. Notwithstanding his - disappointment, the energetic publicist returns to the warpath, and now insists that the Government should requisition the stocks of nlcohol accumulated by. the private distillers. .He suggests that such spirit can be -utilised in the manufacture, of munitions: indeed, the Government has acquired^already the stocks accumulated by the big distilleries.. "Apply the principle to tlioso who are a greater danger to the country," is tho argument of the reformer. Whether he succeeds or not in his onslaught 011 the enemy, the eagerness of his attack interests and inspires the public. : He has against him an immense force. The peasant distillers, who make brandy from their orchards,_ number a million and' a ouarter. To 'this number must be, added two million wine-growers, distillers, and manufacturers of liqueurs. Cafe and bar-keepers represent another half-million, not counting those clandestinely engaged in the trade at the innocent sign of'llibraries-'and coal merchants. As this formidable army corresponds to as many voters, the.full force, of the counter-offensive can be readily :onc(jived. -,' T - Among the delegates to the Y.W.C.A. Conference,, which is to be held in Christchurch next week,-a re the'follow, ing- "Wellington .representatives:—Mrs: • R. Pearson (president), Miss Birch (gen. eral secretary), Miss Andrews (assist- : ant secretary}, Mrs. M'Clay, Mrs. Oa!mpbell (board members), Mrs. Roberts, Misses Murrnv, K. Norton. Tinaey, M. Ward. Farquliar, A. Wilson, and D. Black. They leave for tlie south oil Monday evening.