DRINKING BY WOMEN.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 65, Issue 196, 1 June 1945, Page 6

DRINKING BY WOMEN.

“INCREASING TENDENCY’' (P.A.) AUCKLAND, May 31. | There was an increasing tendency for young women to drink, said Mrs Agnes E. Hodge, wife of the Rev. Dr. Alexander Hodge, of the Auckland Baptist Tabernacle, in evidence before the Royal Commission on Licensing this morning. She said she felt, without hesitation, that liquor had such a definite effect on the fine sensibilities of womanhood that it was not only degrading but also led quickly to girls/some even of culture and social standing -losing all sense of modesty and refinement. Strong drink was also definitely associated with immorality. Hotel lounge drinking seemed to be an ever-increasing menace. In “such comfortable conditions ’ drinking became more subtle and dangerous. Mr Hodge said she had seen barmen, bring round salted refreshments, obviously to increase thirst. Lounge drinking had disastrous effects upon child life, as mothers became neglectful. Mrs Hodge alleged that there had been occasions when soft drinks had been doped with alcohol and given to girls at a milk bar. After criticising drinking at dances and the actions of some taximen in cooperating in the supply of liquor for night parties, the witness said drink also caused the downfall of “many simple-hearted Maori folk who came to the city in the war crisis for essential work.” As the drink traffic had giown steadily year by year there had been a simultaneous increase in evils and tragedies. The abortionist was busier, hospitals were more crowded, venereal disease had increased alarmingly, and the moral tone of the city was considerably lowered.