TEMPERANCE COLUMN.

Otago Witness, Issue 3957, 14 January 1930, Page 70

TEMPERANCE COLUMN.

Published by Arrangement with the ' United Temperance Reform Council. MODERN SOCIAL CUSTOMS. ALCOHOLIC DRINK AT DANCES. (The Catholic Press, Sydney.) It is not so many years ago that were a man to visit dances with the indications of having indulged, even to a very small extent, in alcoholic drink, he would be promptly and generally ostracised. Conditions, however, have changed, and for the worse. Not only do men commit the offence to-day, but they are seconded by the women, who bid fair to outrival them, A frank statement of the abuses at modern dances in the city was given in a paper read at a meeting of religious and laywomen in Sydney a little more than a week ago. The paper to which we specifically refer, and which was published in the press last week, caused a great deal of discussion, and subsequently the following motion was carried unanimously:—“That the presidents and committees of the ex-students’ unions of both boys and girls’ colleges be asked to cooperate in excluding alcoholic drink from their social functions. Also that it bo notified on tickets for these functions that only non-alcoholic drink will bo allowed.” It was also suggested in the paper that it might be found wise to disband the ex-students’ unions. The Catholic Press is. and always has been, inalienably opposed to the practice of participation in alcoholic liquor at such social functions, and the way in which to obviate such a contingency at our Catholic gatherings is to conduct them where such refreshment is not obtainable. There is no reason why tiiese entertainments should be held where liquor is supplied, as there are many fine dining halls and dance rooms where the young people can enjoy themselves equally as well, without courting the pitfalls occasioned by the indiscriminate serving of alcohol. We understand that many of the ex-students* associations which promote entertainments in aid of charities have changed their patronage because of unseemly occurrences. and that there is a general drift to places of entertainment where alcoholic drink is anathema to the managements. Ibis is a health}’ sign, and will mean a great deal in promoting social morality, besides giving more to needy charity. V e have heard on good authority that atone place it wgs boasted by the management that £20.000 had been “made out of the Catholics.” Here is a fact for the promoters of these social events to contemplate. But, it must be remembered that the money was not made out of the Catholics; it was taken from the sick, the physically afflicted, and the orphaned. The proceeds of entertainments conducted towards the alleviation of the lot of these suffering members of society were mulcted to fill the coffers of the wealthy caterers. The high prices charged for the entertainment leave a small pittance for charity, and the patrons for appointments which are wholly unnecessary, and are merely a sop to selfish social place-hunters. Previously we have criticised these social-cuin-charitable functions, which many patrons consider relieve them of the obligation of direct giving to charity. They do not. A year or so ago, Dr M. J. O'Reilly very apty referred to them as the “baited hook” of charity. However, with the system so well established in popular favour, it would be well if Catholics saw that their particular efforts were devoid of objectionable features. Oihj way to ensure this is to be more critical concerning the place in which each entertainment is to take place, thus following the lead given by some of our ex-students’ associations The paper to which we have previously referred in this article also contains the following:—“ It was remarked recently by one who frequents these dances that some young girls leaving these places are a sight to make mothers weep.” Has a man reverence or respect for girls who indulge in “ spots? ” Will a good man take the risk of choosing such a girl for a wife? And surely a girl does not contemplate marriage with one who indulges in drink? Yet her attitude towards the evil is frequently passive; nay. sometimes, her own example is an incentive. We are willing to believe, without closing our eyes to the evil, that the great majority of our young Catholic men and women are sensible and level-headed, and are -ot addicted to “ spots.” Again, we are able to state emphatically that the statement concerning a “ sight to make mothers weep is misapplied and unrepresentative when used towards them. But that does not alter the fact that they should find places of entertainment where this indictment must of necessity pass tnem by. It is a poor sort of girl who needs to become partially inebriated before she can enjoy a dance, and entertainments of the kind, certainly those promoted in the cause of charity, could well do without her patronage, which has the effect of throwing the light of just public criticism on an otherwise admirable function. I* le promoters should apply the efforts of their selective committee to the patron as well as to the venue. For the sake of the good name of our Catholic youth, and each ones individual moral health, greater care should be exercised. The pleasure would not be boss; and more, much more, would be done in the way of Catholic example in social morality; also greater benefits would be bestowed on those who have need of our charity. We repeat an opinion which we have frequently expressed: It should be made a punishable offence to bring alcoholic drink to a dance hall, or to have it in the possession of those present.