THE OPEN BAR

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2346, 12 November 1908, Page 4

THE OPEN BAR

At the present time, when the electors are being fervently urged to “Vote for Continuance and Prosperity,” it is as well to reileefc upon the actual condition which the defenders of the liquor traffic are attempting to associate with that vague term “prosperity.” In another column, we publish the figures bearing upon drunkenness in New Zealand, and by any tliOTightful person they can only be looked updn as appalling. For the year 1907 no. less a sum than £3,667,379 was expended upon alcoholic liquor, and in its train came 10,203 convictions for drunkenness against separate individuals- These aro merely the cold, formal figures of the Police Court records, but behind them stand innumerable cases of squalid poverty, abject wretchedness, and many a pathetic story of. wrecked homes such as that published in yesterday’s issue. But the worst feature of all is the proof -nut the official figures give of the rapid manner in which a fresh crop of drunkards is being created. In this connection tlie “Lyttelton Times” says: “The startling feature of the figures is the enormous number of first offenders who have been charged with drunkenness (airing the past seven years'. The total of 35,964 is simply astounding. These are not simply first offenders, who have kept out of tlie hands of the police for a few months, and then started out again with a clean sheet, but persons against whom there has been no previous charge during the period covered by the figures. The increase in the drink bill last year Avas disquieting enough, but the increase in the number of young

drunkards is much more alarming.” For a. long time the supporters of “the trade” were' Avont to argue, in regard to. drunkenness in NeAV Zealand, that it Avas chiefly confined to the hardened tipplers who had learned! their habits in the Old Country, and lioAvled Avith righteous indignation at any one avlio dared to suggest that from the ranks of the young NeAV Zealanders a new crop of drunkards was being reared. Unfortunately, the fachskdo not permit of such a defence being longer made. As we pointed out the other day, the open bar stands condemned, by its results, and the interests of tko Dominion demand

a change from -a system which seriously threatens the national welfare. If the Dominion figures are disquieting, those of Gisborne are doubly so, for they show mat, comparing 1908 with 1907, so far as the present year has gone there has been an in crease of fully 50 per cent in the drunkenness officially recorded.' in the town. In 1907 the convictions for drunkenness in the local Police Gouit totalled 302, and for the ttoTmonths of the present year there have been 376 convictions. It is well known that oilly a small proportion of intoxicated persons find their way into the police cells, and the figures tell a tale that must have a disturbing effect upon any well-wisher of the town and district.