BALEFUL TRAFFIC

Wairarapa Times-Age, 15 April 1943, Page 4

BALEFUL TRAFFIC

ILLEGAL SALE OF LIQUOR TO SERVICE MEN “NEGATIVE ATTITUDE” OF AUTHORITIES. CRITICISED IN STRONG TERMS BY MAGISTRATE. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) AUCKLAND, April 14. “The negative attitude of the authorities in the question of the sale of liquor to members ol the armed for-' ces is one of the most inimical phases of our war effort, and it is to be hoped the public will demand that this attitude be changed,” said Mr Luxford, S.M., before giving judgment in a case where six men were charged with selling liquor without a licence. One bright exception in the attitude of the authorities, Mr Luxford said, was the reports of wet canteens in camps. “The average healthy normal man in times of peace hates unnecessary restriction upon the way he spends his leisure hours, but that hate is nothing to the hate of the same class when they become soldiers in time of war,” said the Magistrate. “No organisations catering for men of the United Nations services could lawfully provide facilities where men could procure liquor after 6 p.m. The men resented that restriction, and properly so. “Another baleful result is probable. Indeed the first signs have become visible. That is the sale of adulterated liquor. I am certain before long that if the present restrictions continue poisonous alcohol will make its appearance,” said the magistrate. Those who opposed some reasonable reform in the law relating to the sale of liquor to members of the armed forces after 6 p.m, incurred a grave responsibility. The police had done splendid work in the fight against sly grog, but the more sly grog was driven underground the more pernicious and evil would be its effects. How many service men would patronise a sly-grog shop, if they could consume liquor with their companions in properly-conducted clubs or canteens established in accordance with the law and the profits from which went, to patriotic funds?