WOMEN AND DRINK.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXIX, Issue 94, 10 June 1911, Page 3

WOMEN AND DRINK.

The matter of women getting drink for consumption in public bars was raised at the sitting of thc_ Auckland Licensing Committee on Wednesday, by the police'reports respecting the ChicQn’s Hotel 'and ...tjje , Edh)burgh Castle Hotel’ The reports were to the effect that provision was made for tiie consumption of liquor on the premises by women. It was not suggested that the women drank to excess, or that the bars were frequented by women of loose character. Counsel for the licensees stated that the matter of supplying liquor to women was a difficult one, and the licensees would like the Committee to give an expression of opinion on the matter, as it was not a breach of the Licensing Act to supply women, except Maori women. To refuse to supply women was to place the pakeha woman on the same plane as Maori women, said Mr Grundy, and probably the ’ Suffragettes would take exception to that curtailment of their privileges. If the Committee was going to lay down that no women were to be supplied with liquor in public bars in the city it would be a rather far advance, but the licensees were willing to accept any conditions that might be made in that direction. ( Sub-Inspector Hendry stated that the matter of supplying women in hotels was one in which public opinion was against the practice, and some time ago the leaders of the Trade said that, practice would cease. It had practically ' ceased, with the exception of the two hotels in question. The chairman said that the reports were favourable, with the exception that the police said provision was made , for "serving women with drink for consumption on the promises. They, had, to admit that this was not against the law. The Committee, however, disapproved of it, and wore pleased to hoar that the two licensees undertook that they would not. in the future supply women with drink for consumption on the premises. The Coinmittee thought the practice was not only against public opinion, hut also against the interests of the licensees. They were, satisfied with the statements made on behalf of the licensees that they would not supply facilities for tlie" practice, and the applications for renewals would ho granted.