MODERN WOMEN AGAIN!

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 14, 7 April 1927, Page 5

MODERN WOMEN AGAIN!

Bishop Wentworth-Sheilds, speaking in St. Peter's Cathedral Church (Armidale, N.S.W.), paid a special tribute to Canon Riley for his strong attitude with regard to the free distribution of spirituous liquors at public dances. The bishop said he was confident that the canon had the full support of the congregation, and especially of the members of the Church of England Men’s Society. He did not wish to cast or revive any stigma of reproach against the committee which organised the races or dance. Both were valuable social assets to the community, and he was glad to read in their report that wild rumours of excess and misconduct were groundless and exaggerated. At the same time the policy of providing free whisky and spirituous liquors at public dances was intolerable and barbarous. There was only one verdict to pronounce upon the guest who soaked himself with whisky between dances and then danced with girls, and that was that he was a cad and a vulgarian. There had been notable instances recently in which orgy and riot had ensued through similar laxity. Xeither could Armidale escape unless spirits were eliminated at dances, and young girls protected from insobriety. He believed that if the committee were properly approached with a petition they would take immediate action to remove the abuse, and no more would be heard of it.