NATIVE DEMORALISATION IN NATAL

Marlborough Express, Volume XXXIX, Issue 134, 9 June 1906, Page 4

NATIVE DEMORALISATION IN NATAL

Superintendent Alexander, ma recent report to the Durban Town Council j after setting forth the criminal statistics of the month with the nationality of the offenders, remarked:—"A decrease is shown in drunkenness amongst Europeans, and a large falling off in vagrancy cases. In the latter case, I attribute the decrease entirely to the vigilance of your police, backed up by the court, ensuring as far as possible the good order af the borough, thus making it almost impossible for vagabonds, black or white, to be at large; whilst the decrease in drunkenness amongst Europeans is very marked indeed. I sincerely hope that it will continue, for I notice that with this" decrease there is less rowdyism, obstruction of police, and other offences of which drink is the primary cause. "I wish that I could say the same of our natives. Try all we can to keek them sober, I find the number of cases brought to court gradually increasing, through the great facilities they have, in their surroundings, for obtaining liquor, not from the ordinary licensed dealer, but from the many people there are who make a living by it, either by writing orders or supplying it direct to the natives in their backyards; thereby demoralising the whole race. The old natives are losing all control of their women and children, and are becoming desperate, morose, and vicious towards the Europeans."