ESSENTIAL RESTRICTION.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 6, Issue 288, 29 June 1917, Page 4 (Supplement)

ESSENTIAL RESTRICTION.

There are scores, aye, hundreds of men and women who are sincerely desirous of doing something to help win the war—men who cannot go to the fighting line either because they are over military age, or because of physical disability; women whot are not qualified for the arduous and responsible work of nursing or whose home ties limit their area of action to within the narrow orbit of the locality in which they reside. For many such women, happily, there is useful work available in connection with o::e or other of the numerous patriotic organisations whose self-appointed mission is to provide comforts for the men in the trenches or for the sick and wounded in the hospitals. But there are scores upon scores of women whose circumstances do not permit of their participating in this work, and their cry, together with that of the men who are chafing to "da their bit," is "What can we do?" They need not be dispirited, for there is much that they can do. If only they will see it, the opportunity they are looking for is wide open to them along the lines of responsible citizenship. If they cannot find .employment for their r nands, they can at least use their influence for the well-being of the community, and especially for the well-be-ing of the gallant fellows who have sc nobly responded to the call to arms. Such an opportunity will present itself to the citizens of Wanganui to-morrow evening, when a public meeting, convened by the Mayor, will be held in tne Opera House to consider the question of hours during which hotel bars should

" "'.;.ni'd while the war continues.'' it is not possible to exaggerate the importance of this question. Apart altogetner from the moral evils attaching to it, the unrestricted continuance of the liquor traffic is a menace to the fighting and industrial efficiency of the Empire. Other countries realised the potency of the evil in the early days of the war, and were prompt to take drastic and effective prohibitory measures. The moment America decide'! to step into line with the Allies her statesmen proceeded to grapple fearlessly with essential problems. As a result, following quickly upon the declaration of war, there came the announcement that she had adopted conscription, to be effective within i month, and had prohibited the sale -A liquor in canteens or to anyone in uniform under any circumstances. American sentiment concerning the liquor traffic in its relation to war was fore*, fully expressed by leading newspapers a day or two after the momentous decision had been made. One of them, the "Seattle Post Intelligencer," summed the matter up tersely in the following words:—

War and whisky, it has been observed in past experience, do not mix well. War is a reason lor well-considered judgment, clear eyes and steady nerves, tor alert men in lull possession of their faculties. Intoxicating liquor is a handicap to these requisites of manhood, and therefore, in the national emergency, winsky must go. Before its adjournment <Jon,gre*i will very likely exercise whatever power it may po sess to cripple liquor selling in the nation. It will undoubtedly keep whisky away from the army and navy, and it will impose additional taxes upon the liquor industry. Beyond this, tile pronibition forces are moving for the passage of a law closing interstate traffic to liquor shipments. The nation, having girded its loins for war, is in the humor to brush aside all obstacles to its efficiency. .Not only this, it tsees a waste of its good grains in the manufacture of intoxicating liquors at a time when I'ooJ supplies must be conserved. In proteins, fats, and carbohydrates, foods for human efficiency, alcoholic liquor has only a trifling value: millions of bu-hels of useful grain are used in its manufacture. Thus, in the emergency of war, there is to be no quibbling about whisky. It destroys the good food grain, unnerves the warrior and diverts America from its patriotic purpose. Wherefore whisky must go.

Recent news indicated that the forepast of the "Post Intelligencer" was well founded, and tin's morning the cable informs us that "a Bill designed to prohibit the manufacture of whisky r.nd beer for the duration of the war has been reported in the Senate," and that the measure is so complete and comprehensive that it will authorise the President ill ca : « of emergency to also prohibit wine-making. The movement in this Dominion, which the people of Wanganui will have an opportunity of endorsing to-morrow evening, does not go nearly so far. Since Parliament lasl fooled witli the problem by passing the farcical "anti-shouting" law in tead c? insisting upon some effective measure of restriction, the people have been growing increasingly indignant, and in the coming session our politicians will find themselves fnco to face with an irresistible demand for legislation providing at least that the liquor bars shall be opened only between the hour* of 8 a.m. and G p.m., and that this restriction shall be enforced during the continuance of the rar and the subsequent period of demobilisation. Tomorrow evening'.-, meeting will afford the citizens of Wanganui an < ; ;>o ■- tunity to help in the winning of tli« war by attending the meeting and giving the weight of their influence to what is to-day a Dominion-wide demand for the esentirl restriction of ;) non-essential and admittedly harmful industry.

The special war medals which the Australian Government has decided to is-ne to the nearest female relative oi every Australian soldier who has let! the Commonwealth lor active service abroad, will shortly b;> available for distribution. Bars will ho attached to the medals issued to those mothers who have more than one son on service. An Attractive design has been chosen for tl'e decoration, which will he ca.-t in silver. It will he oval in shape, with the letters All', in-ot. Kadi medal wdl li'iir the following inscription: "Issued by the Department of Del ■ire to Women of Australia, for duty done."