OUR AUCKLAND LETTER.

Franklin Times, Volume 9, Issue 777, 20 October 1922, Page 5

OUR AUCKLAND LETTER.

,TO BE OR NOT TO BE? (From Our Own Corrsepondent). Christmas is coming and so is the poll to decide whether this country is to go hdry” or remain “wet.” The existing law provides that in the event of Natj-onal Prohibition being carried ‘"no licensing poll shall at any time thereafter be taken in any district.” That is clear enough. But of course there is nothing to prevent the amendment of the existing law so as to permit of the whole question being re-opened at some future time should that course be in accordance With the wish of ithe majority. Meantime the battle, pro and con, has already begun in Auckland. The daily papers frequently contain huge advertisements emanating from both camps while extended reports of addresses by the champions of the cold tea cause are often published side by side with reports of speeches made by those who like Mrs Gamp, prefer to put their lips to it when so “disposed.” PROHIBITION IN PATCHES. There is a prevalent impression in this city at the present time that N.Z. will be as dry as a redl-herring before we are much older, and 1 have heard more than one person express curiosity as to how prohibition will “work” if it does come. But have we not had prohibition—tin patches—for years past in the Dominion ? How' has it worked at AshburtonPalmerston North, Taumarunui and Te Ku«ti ? No really impartial and authoritative statement has ever been made touching this matter, so far as 1 know, and it seems to me that the time has arrived when such a statement ought to be made. If it can be conclusively shown that Prohibition has proved thoroughly successful in ithe ‘dry ’ areas named, that it has made people more sober and better colonists in every way, that there is no sly-grog se.ling the 'towns referred to and thvlieense” has not merely driven .the drink evil under the surface instead of leaving it on top —well, .:i that case, the sooner National Prohibition comes the better,say I. What do you think? WHOLESOME ADVICE. 1 In a recent address in Auckland to business girls, Dr Truby Ring gave his hearers some excellent advice. He recommended a cold bath before breakfast restriction of; eating to meal time's abstention from morning and afternoon tea and the eating of chocolates aid meats in itrict moderation. I wonder whether there are twenty girls in the whole of Auckland who are prepared to follow Dr King’s directions for the attainment of “fitness” and good) health ? What ! No morning or afternoon tea, and only a moderate allowance of chocolates and caramels ? Perish the thought ! And' how are the poor .dentists to live if the doctor’s wise advice is followed to any large extent ? Sweetmeats are the best friends the dentists have. Here in Auckland! it would be hard to say whether -the dentists are more numerous than the lolly shops or vice versa. And as to advice, it is .a thing the 20th century girl has no use for, anyhow. SUNDAY FUNERALS.

This is not a particularly cheerful subject but it. has been exciting quite a* lot of interest in Auckland of late, and has (formed the theme of a newspaper controversy. (The clergy and not, as it seems to me, without reason, object strongly as a body to Sunday burials when there are of course, the usual church services to conduct and various other matters incidental to the day to be attended to. The City Council has been accused of “commercialism” in raising the charge for Sunday funerals, but that, of course, is simply nonsense. The charge has been raised with the sole object of keeping Sunday funerals down and discouraging, them as much as possible. And they should be discouraged too. AH want a day “off” once a week, whether we go to church or whether we don’t. Even undertakers and thenassistants are entitled 1 to a six-day week, and any interference with that arrangement should be avoided where possible. '