WOMEN AND DRINK.

Auckland Star, Volume XLII, Issue 134, 7 June 1911, Page 6

WOMEN AND DRINK.

EESTEICa32fG SCEEBAGETTE PKEFILEGES. The matter of women getting -drinb for consumption in pablic bars was raised at the sitting of the Aacldand Licensing Committee this morning by the Jjolice reports respecting the Queen's HoteLand the Edinburgh Castle HoteL The reports were to the effect that provision was made for the oonsumptioa-of iiqnor on the premises by women- It was not suggested that the women drank to excessl or that the bars -were frequented by women of loose character. 'Counsel for the licensees stated that the matter of snpplying liquor to- women •was a fjiffirifl-. one, and the licensees ■would like the Committee to give an expression of opinion on iSie -matter, as it was not a breach of the Act to supply -women, except Maori, women. To refuse to snpply -women -was to place the pakeha woman -on the same plane as Maori women, said Mr. Grundy, and probably the Suffragettes would take exception to that cnrtaflaieni of their privileges. If the Committee -was going 4o Jay down that w> -women -mere to he supplied, with liqoor-in public bars in the city it -would be a rattieT far advance, bat the licensees -were wfTTing to accept any conditions €ha& might ibe made in that direction. Sub-inspector Hjaiter of supplying women in hotels -sag one in wnieb. public opinion -was against the practice, and some time ago . ±he leaders of the Trade said that practice would cease. It had practically ceased, wil3i the exeepfion of the two hotels in question. The "haTrrmm said thai the reports ■were, fzvouxa&le, with the exception that the police eaid thai provision was made for serving -women with drink for consirmptiia an &c premises. Tnsy 'bad. to sd/Bt that tins -qras-xtot-against the law. Hie Cknnnrittee, however, disapproved of it, and were pleased to herr that the two licensees iindfirtook thss they -would not in the UiUiwt euppry -s-onien with drink for cpnsnmptton on the promisee. The Connnffc£ee Smagb± flie-pracfee .was not only against public opinion, but also against the interests of fie licensees. They were satisfied trifli the statements made on behalf of the licensees that they "would mot sagpry facilities for the practice, and the applications for Tenewals Tyonld be granted.