SOBER SYDNEY.

Press, Volume LXV, Issue 19508, 3 January 1929, Page 10

SOBER SYDNEY.

(frou OUB OWN coaaßsroKocjiT.) SYDNEY, December 27. Judging by the police experiences during Christmas, Sydney is becoming a more sober city. In former times each week-end, let alone Christmas, saw the cells filled to overflowing, but times have chahged, and ou Christmas Eve this year many of the cells were empty. All the city police station* reported that "things were very quiot/" The number of arrests in the city proper on Christmas Eve was 30, all for drunkenness, and at the other city stations the average was six. The police rejoiced, therefore, in the fact that they had a very quiet Christmas. Asked whether he could give any reason for the improved order of things, a police officer of many years' experience in police work ?aid that there could 1»no doubt that there was very much Ipsa drunkenness than formerly, and conse quently less crime during the festive season. It had to be remembered, oi' course, that the police were very considerate at such a time, and the "police possibly gave a little more latitude than usual. Most of those who were arrested were helpless, and were taken t,o the cells for their own protection. For them it was often a choice between a ride to the nenre&t police station, or a ride to the morgue. However, he continued, young men seemed to drink less than they did. or else, he added with a smile, they could carry more. For Iris part, he thought that the young men were improving. The motor-car, and the motor-lorry had done a great deal to change * their habits. Whereas, in the old days, maiiv of them spent their money on beer, they now bought petrol, or hired a vehicle to take them to a picnic spot. He was not suggesting that they did not tako a quantity of beer with them on such ex cursions, but they generally took their womenfolk, who had a restraining influence on their thirst, and. caused most of them to be on their best behaviour. The motor had enabled many people to get away from the city, and it could be said that its influence among youug people had been very beneficial.