“SERIOUS QUESTION.”

Greymouth Evening Star, 11 June 1932, Page 11

“SERIOUS QUESTION.”

DRINKING AT PUBLIC DANCES. WANGANUI, June 8. A recurring problem was discussed by the Taranaki County Council when a letter was received from the Taranaki Archdeaconry Board asking for co-operation in an effort to suppress the practice of drinking at public dances. After long discussion the council decided that strong action was /necessary and it was suggested that a bydaw should be framed. The difficulties involved in this were pointed out and the suggestion was dropped. Dtfring the discussion councillors expressed the opinion that the matter; was a serious one, but it was emphatically urged by members of the council that the evil was largely due to -free ’buses taking undesirables from: .neighbouring towns to country dances, jit was also stated that there were difficulties in the way of suppressing the evil as it was generally confined ( to motor-vehicles parked near the ■halls. ( It was decided to leave the. matter to the discretion of local bod-; ies in the districts concerned. Hall committees tin various parts of. the province have been active in attempts to stop drinking at country: dances and in some instances theirj efforts have been successful. Only this week the committee of a hall near; Stratford where a dance was beingheld set a ’trap and two young mem were arrested for being on licensed; premises without lawful excuse. When; 'explaining the circumstances in court the police said that the action had! been .taken as -the result of disgrace-; ful conduct on the part of such hood-; lums -as those ’before the court. The magistrate remarked that it was a serious question.