WHY BARMAIDS STAY YOUNG.

Auckland Star, Volume LXV, Issue 204, 29 August 1934, Page 5

WHY BARMAIDS STAY YOUNG.

Many years ago, the Victorian Parliament, with' the avowed intention of j abolishing barmaids, passed a law prohibiting the issue of any new barmaids' licenses. It is a constant source {of wonder to those unfamiliar with another provision of the law that barmaids, instead of becoming older as the years roll on, are younger to-day than ever they were. Some who are serving in city hotels are mere "flappers."

The explanation is that the law allows relatives of licensees to be employed behind the bar, and it is suggested by uncharitable persons that, when the lawwas passed, many liotclkccpcrs acquired large numbers of new sisters and nieces, and even aunts.

A deputation of members of tho League of Registered Barmaids, which waited on Chief Secretary, declared also that licenses have been carefully preserved .through the years, and are now being used by girls who were not born when the licenses were originally issued. It was said that some licenses had been sold several times over, and that they had been "borrowed" and even duplicated. Several methods by which the law' might be adequately policed were suggested, and the Chief Secretary promised to consider them.