HIGH PRICES FOR LIQUOR

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 12, 9 October 1943, Page 6

HIGH PRICES FOR LIQUOR

Position Of Purchasers MAGISTRATE SAYS THEY

FLOUT THE LAW

(By Telegraph.—Press Association.) AUCKLAND, October 8.

Before he sentenced to a month’s jail a taxi driver who had sold a bottle of whisky and three bottles of brandy, locally distilled,-to servicemen lor 124. Mr. Luxford, S.M., made strong comment "upon the purchases of liquor, by visiting servicemen at inordinately high prices, thus tempting persons to break the law. After ininosinff sentence, the magistrate added: “I wonder what steps are being taken by the authorities in charge of these servicemen. This is a serious matter. The laws of this country are being flouted by men temporarily in our midst.” 0 , 'Defendant was Joseph Rimmer, oJ. who pleaded guilty to selling liquor without a licence on September 28. The police stated that they received a complaint fr cmi servicemen, who said they had bought the liquor at £0 al bottle and it was not lit to drink. When Rimmer was located and admitted selling the liquor, uiree bottles of spirits were found in his car. On behalf of Rimmer, Ins counsel, Ml. Dickson, said that he had given way to temptation. Servicemen coming into the community created the demand and u was a shame that they should go unpunHied while Rimmer and other men had to “take the rap.” . He would now lose his taxi licence, which would be foihim a greater punishment than the penalty ot “Pressure being brought to bear by certain servicemen who have large sums of money to spend, particularlY 0,1 11C l U ° 1; is only tempting People to break the law, said the magistrate, but if t h ® were to condone the practice the I-- 111 edge of the wedge would be inserted fo. general lawlessness.”