DRINKING AT CABARETS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22167, 22 July 1935, Page 12

DRINKING AT CABARETS

" HARD TO PREVENT IT" STATEMENT BY MANAGER PROBLEM OF PARKED CARS "Liquor is undoubtedly consumed on flie premises by some people," said the manager of an Auckland cabaret on Saturday, when asked to comment on an allegation that there were disgraceful scenes nt a recent ball at which intoxicated women had to be carried to motor-cars. <; lt cannot be denied that liquor is taken to cabarets," added the manager, "but it is tremendously difficult to prevent it. It can readily be seen how impossible it would he to submit everybody visiting the cabaret to a systematic search to make certain no ilasks were carried in hip pockets. It would be farcical to attempt such a course. "However, when guests arrive carrying suitcases, we always enquire as to the contents. Sometimes the information is vouchsafed that shoes are being carried, and sometimes it is that a birthday is to be celebrated and that the customary cake has been provided."

Cabarets were plastered with notices that liquor was prohibited on the premises, the manager added. The chief difficulty was that there was no restriction upon what took place m parked motor-cars and it was impossible to know exactly where liquor was being consumed. "In my case, I make a point of being at the cabaret myself the whole time it is open," continued the manager. "If there is any interference with dancers on the floor the person causing the trouble is promptly dealt with and at all times supervision is exercised to ensure that there is no horseplay on the premises.

"When the cabaret is hired out to various organisations who conduct dances, the committee concerned assumes responsibility for the conduct of those present, but even then, if there is any undue misbehaviour 1 do not hesitate to take action."

The opinion that it was unreasonable to expect parties of people to go to cabarets without a certain amount of liquor being consumed was expressed by an Auckland business man. "Because a few irresponsibles occasionally lose their sense of proportion is no reason why perfectly good citizens should be deprived of harmless gaiety," he said. "I am convinced that if cabarets could be licensed there would be less cause for complaint from the anti-liquor section of the community than there i§ at present."