Drink “not necessary”
“Teetotallers win all along the line,” said Mr S.E. McCarthy SM in the Christchurch Magistrate’s Court, when a man who pleaded that he could not pay maintenance for his mother admitted that he spent six or seven shillings a week on drink. “Don’t you think it would be better to spend that money in maintaining your mother?” asked the magistrate. “Well, a fellow who goes out to work has to have some drink,” contended defendant. “I don’t
consider drink at all necessary,” replied the magistrate. “The best workmen are those who don’t take it. They are the quickest and most efficient. Your plea is a wornout one.”