COUNCIL OF WOMEN.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVIII, Issue 45, 23 February 1937, Page 12

COUNCIL OF WOMEN.

DRINK AT DANCES.

CITY NOISES

The subject of drinking at dances was discussed at length last night at the monthly meeting of the Auckland branch of the National Council of Women, where the president, Miss Ellen Melville, presided. Letters which have passed between the Prime Minister, the Kt. Hon. M. J. Savage, Archbishop Averill, the Hon. Peter Fraeer, and Mr. A. K. Lewis, of Wen Eden, on the subject of drinking In cabarets and dance halls, were presented. The letters were forwarded to the Council by Mr. Lewis, at the suggestion of Archbishop Averill. He was alarmed, Mr. Lewis stated, at the amount of drinking that went on among young people at dances. Xot only in Auckland, but in the country districts there were large numbers of people who belonged to the "hip pocket" brigade, especially in the wine-growing districts. He thought that the police should have the right to search any cars or other vehicles stationed outside cabarets or dance halls. In replying to the letter, Archbishop Averill said tnat he was aware of the position, and considered that it wae a degrading custom. He thought the parents were to Maine for the standards they set the children. He thought it a matter for the police, and that it should be made illegal to take drink to dances, and anyone found in possession of it should be imprisoned without the option of a fine. The Prime Minister wrote that the matter was being placed before the Minister of Health, who was also the Minister in Charge of Police. After discussion, it was decided that the establishment of women police would assist in combating the evil. Unnecessary Noises.

The unnecessary noises in the city and suburbs were discussed, and on the recommendation of a sub-committee set up to consider ways and means of abolishing such noises, it wan decided to write to the Metropolitan Milk Board asking that milkmen should be stopped from making unnecessary rattling of bottles, banging of gates, and stirring of milk in cans. It was also decided to approach the City Council with a request that dustmen should be asked to work more quietly. A remit was received from the Christchurch branch stating that the branch requested the Dominion secretary to write to the Minister of Health and Education asking him to extend the work now being done for backward children, first by establishing an occupational centre for lower grade children who were unsuitable for ordinary special classes and whose parents were willing and able to look after them at home, and secondly, by the establishment of industry centres for boys and girls who had attended special classes and who needed further training to enable them to earn a living. The remit was referred to the various societies. A welcome was extended by the president to Mrs. D. Johnson, of South Africa, and Miss Begg, of Dunedin. Three new delegates, Miss L. Read, representing the Women's Christian Temperance Union, Mrs. A. M. Hutchinson, representing the Society for the Protection of Women and Children, and Mrs. H. Shaw, representing the Howard League of Penal Reform, were also welcomed.