GIRLS AND DRINK.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVIII, Issue 69, 23 March 1937, Page 13

GIRLS AND DRINK.

WOMEN POLICE REQUIRED.

THE "PTOITT SQUAD'S" WORK.

"It is not generally known," said Mrs. Molesworth at the monthly meeting of the Auckland branch of th» National Council -of Women last night, "that there exists a section of the police known as the 'purity squad' whose duty it is to watch girls in hotel lounges, at street corners, outside dance halls or near places of ill-repute." These men, explained Mrs. Molesworth, wore plain clothes and their work was mainly preventive. The men themselves did not enjoy this class of work and considered it purely women's work to watch "hidden life" in this manner. A band of women pojice, said the speaker, could ably carry out these duties. It should not just be a number of women picked from here and there, but a specially trained Body of educated women with knowledge and tact. Drinking among young 'people was becoming more of a menace, it was stated, and women police could do a great deal to. prevent catastrophe. The president, Miss Ellen Melville, asked how many members could tell-of specific instances of drunkenness Or immorality among young girls which would support the councils claim for women police, and a large percentage of delegates said they could quote cases. References were made to alleged drunkenness at dance halls and on beaches. It was suggested that the police should have the power to search for liquor in motor cars parked near dance halls, but a member stated that such a. procedure was the thin end of the wedge to destroy individual liberty and she considered it inadvisable to resort to this.

Another reason for the necessity of women police given, was, on account of assaults on* women and'girls, also for the protection of little children out on the streets at night. "When. children can't come home because they "have to be met and escorted it is certainly time for women police," said one member. A committee was appointed to go further into the matter and produce practical examples of 'cases where women police would be an advantage. The members of the committee,, it was decided, should visit cabarets, beaches and park areas and report on their observations.

A remit was received from the New Women's Club requesting that the Dominion secretary of the council should write to the Minister of Health and Education asking him to extend the work now being done for backward children by establishing an occupational centre for lower grade children, unsuitable for ordinary special classes, in centres where there were ten or more such children. The remit also suggested the establishment of industry centres for boys and girls who bad attended special classes and who were in need of further training to enable them to earn a living. After discussion.it was decided that the executive should frame a new remit on the same lines to be" presented to the Minister of Health and Education. Mrs. A. Hutchinson, a member of the council, was congratulated oh her recent appointment to the committee of investigation into maternal mortality.