STARTLING DISCLOSURE.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XLV, Issue 11961, 12 December 1919, Page 2

STARTLING DISCLOSURE.

[Published by Arrangement]

MARKED INCREASE IN DRINKING AMONGST WOMEN. WHAT AN INSPECTOR OF POLICE SAYS. (From Oar Special Correspondent). Wellington, December 10 At the recent Licensing Committee meeting held in Wellington, the Inspector of Police for the district reported thus: — “ ,i regret to have to advise that my Sergeants .have reported to me, as a result of their observation when visiting hotels, that drinking by females is very noticeably oon the increase in the City, and is becoming exceedingly prevalent, even in the company of men in the open bars of some of the licensed houses —even as many as thirteen women were found drinking in one of the smaller hotels a few days ago. In mentioning this matter, I wish to say that I am not reflecting on the general conduct of the premises where the women are supplied with liquor. I feel that this information should he given vou in the public interests.” Unfortunately, this marked increase in drinking amongst women is not confined to Wellington alone, but has become an unpleasant feature of every district in ttie Dominion. The problem is one which is causing deep concern to those who have the welfare of the nation at heart. Those who have considered the matter most fully and carefully have come to the conclusion that the only way in which to stop the growth of this dangerous custom is to entirely eliminate the License Trade, and it is probable that the Prohibition vote at the forthcoming election will be considerably increased as a result of the failure of the Trade to read the signs of the times and set its house in order.