The Barmaid Question.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5361, 14 July 1885, Page 3

The Barmaid Question.

* TO THB HDITOR OF THB BTAB. Sir, — The discussion in the House om the Barmaid question must have been a very amusing affair, if not conducted with all the refinement one might expect from those occupying the position of legislators, while the traditional storm in a tea-cup seems to have been raised by the proposal to abolish the system of barmaids. The Temperance Union sent in a strong petition from various parts of New Zealand, and for the short time the work was in hand, it was a very creditable production. We hear that from one place, only the body of the petition was sent up, time not permitting the papers from the outlying districts to bore-called. It was scarcely gallant of one honourable member to insinuate that the greater proportion of those who signed were jealous wives and children. Let ub hope no wife of any honourable member has cause for jealousy. As many of the petitioners are the wives of Temperance men, we may fairly suppose their motives to be disinterested. Another member was reminded of man's weakness in the garden of Eden. There he was tempted to eat ; now the cry is, " Woman gave me to drink." True, that now aa then woman's influence is great for good or evil. Publicans recognise this, else good-looking women would not be in such request to wait at their bars. The same gentleman said, "Barmaids purified the atmosphere round them." Truly we have many things to learn yet. Does it mean that the frequenters of public-house bars go to inhale a purer atmosphere than they can get elsewhere P How unfortunate that those who most often breathe this pure air convey such a different impression to those with whom they come in contact. On the whole, the opposition might have been more courteously conducted. The opinion of the people was scarcely recognised by them. We do not in the least wish to denounce all barmaids. No doubt the high, wages given prove a strong inducement to some who may have others depending upon them. But to such, the scenes by which they are dailj surrounded must either blunt their better feelings or inflict daily pain. Sir George Grey said the subject had given him much thought, and he objected to legislation on the class as both cruel and unjust. Strange that when legislation stepped in and decreed that certain classes of workers should not be allowed to work after certain hours, either with or without their consent, no one cried " Shame ! " and many rejoice to see the Saturday afternoons enjoyed by those who otherwise would be slaving for the votaries of fashion. And why should we refuse the legislation which would in like manner rescue those exposed to moral degradation and slavery P We would recommend the petitioners to try again, and remind them that great reforms are not won without hard light, nor is victory gamed in the first battle. I will conclude by suggesting to those women who have so nobly agitated in this movement, the motto, " Repulsed, but not defeated." — I am, &c., M. CAMPBELL.