DRINK AT DANCE HALLS

Taranaki Daily News, 9 June 1932, Page 4

DRINK AT DANCE HALLS

protest prom clergymen “REMEDY RESTS WITH GIRLS," WAITARA COUNCIL’S DISCUSSION. A comparatively new point of view upon the evil of drinking at dance halls to which the Taranaki Archdeaconry Board has drawn attention in a circular was expressed at last night’s meeting of the Waitara Borough Council, when the circular was reCei The Mayor said the board would hays the moral support of the council in its attempt to stamp out the evil. It was not the business of the authorities to stamp out the practice, however; it would have to be scotched in the home. Boom years had been responsible for much extravagance. The dance committees, he thought, were not responsible. Cr. Spurdie said the trouble was due to people who came from other districts in cars, bringing liquor with them. The committees could not check what went on outside but they might be able to enlist the supervision of the police. Cr. Reeves suggested that the best remedy would be to issue no pass out checks at the door. Cr. Glasgow said he had been amused to see how every local body that had considered the circular was emphatic that the trouble at dances in their districts had been caused by “visitors from outside.’’ In his opinion the Archdeaconry Board had begun at the wrong end. The board should approach the fathers and mothers. The key to the situation, said Cr. Glasgow, was in the possession of the girls who went to dances. The standard of those functions rested solely with the womenfolk. It was futile for local bodies to pass resolutions.

The Mayor agreed with Cr. Glasgow. A motion to the effect that the council accorded the board its moral support but believed the remedy rested solely with the girls at dances was carried unanimously.