DRINK REFORM IN WAR TIME

Southland Times, Issue 24838, 2 September 1942, Page 5

DRINK REFORM IN WAR TIME

Sir, —As one who has admired and heartily approved many of your leading articles, I was much disappointed by the tone and reasoning of the one published under the above heading on August 25. You state there is evidence that venereal disease and drunkenness i among young men and women are ini creasing rapidly. You invite reformers to approach the question with tolerance, and claim that-flat prohibition or discipline more strictly enforced will fail; but that such evils can be checked by paying attention to the problems of youth at the present time. I am compelled to disagree, and think that answers are required for the questions (1) who is to pay this attention? and (2) what action should be taken in the present circumstances, and by whom? I submit that the Auckland meeting of 3500 citizens goes to show that there are many people who demand action and will not be satisfied with vague statements. You claim that young men training for battle must not be expected to submit to a discipline “which follows them from the parade ground to the places where they seek their pleasure.” That statement will not be endorsed by thousands of the men or their parents. Worst of all is the statement that temperate drinkers must not be penalised to the extent of being unable to procure any liquor at all on Saturday afternoons merely because of the excess of a foolish minority. The foolish minority in this instance are the young men and boys who have been taken from their homes and compelled to submit to all necessary discipline, compelled to cross the ocean and face wounds and death in thousands, and (in hundreds of cases) insanity, blindness and worse for the rest of their lives. It is a grim discipline, but I agree that it is necessary and right, and many thousands have'accepted it willingly. But the necessary discipline that would restrict them from taking their pleasures in the bar and the brothel must not be enforced. Surely such reasoning does not make sense? LESLIE IRWIN. Winton, August 29, 1942.