LIQUOR AMONG MAORIS

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Volume 81, Issue 63, 7 December 1937, Page 7

LIQUOR AMONG MAORIS

— Preas Aasociation.)

40-Hour Week Aggravates Problem BISHOP'S CONCERN

(By Telegrapb

WANGANUI, Last Night. The 40-liour week and its effect on the Maori people by reason of increased facilities for the consumption of liquor were subject to strong comment by Et. Eev. F. A. Bennettt, M.A., Bishop of AoEearoa, speaking at the social function held hy the Wanganui Botary club to-uight. ' ' What will be the end? ' ' asked the Bishop. "The L'abour Government has given the people five days of labour and on Saturdays when the hotels are open the Maori people having nothing to do waste both their time and their money in the bars. With their wages paid on Friday night the men gravitate to these places and dire results are becoming apparent already. "In the north of New Zealand the drink problem is worse than it has been for 20 years," said the speaker. In a Tecent visit to this part of the country, mothers, women and wives had appealed to him to do all in his power to combat the evil. But what could he dof In Waikato where in previous years no liquor had fonnd a place at tangis and native gatherings, now barrels were featnred at every one. "The ultimate effect. on the rising generation of the Maori people is one that will be apparent to all," said the Bishop. He stated that what had beeome a eommon habit itp and down the Dominion must be eradicated at all costs. _ _