GIRLS AND DRINK.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17346, 29 September 1924, Page 7

GIRLS AND DRINK.

TO THE EDITOR Sir.—J was amused to read about the discovery of the North Island Prohibition League in regard to the “ drinking habits that are rampant amongst girls in their teens.” and also to read of the Dean of Napier nosing round at midnight, finding motor-cars “containing men and girls behaving in a most disgraceful manner, due to whisky consumed at dances.” The letter in Saturday’s issue of the “ Star ” signed “ Vigilant,” keeps the ball rolling, but I am satisfied that all of these statements are a gross libel on the young men and girls of New Zealand; either this or the Dominion is being flooded with illicit spirits. On reference to Stone's Directory for 1924 I find that our population, male and female over 15 years of age. is 893,888. The spirits imported amounted to 371,857 gallons—equal to. say, 2£ bottles per head per annum, or one very small nip per head per week. Wins importations are equal to rather less than one gallon for each nine adults, which pans out at one small wine-glass Tier head per month. Let us assume that half the population are abstainers, then the ration for the drinking half is two small nips of spirits per week and a glass of wine every fortnight. It cannot be beer that is doing the alleged damage to our dancers, because the Dean specifies whisky, and “ Vigilant ” specifies “ something carried on the hips.” Beer is too bulky to be carried on the hip—then what is responsible? It cannot be spirits or wine as there is scarcely enough to go round. Then what is the trouble? The trouble. I venture to suggest, lies in the imagination of that intolerant section of the community known as the prohibitionist. The trouble is due in 99 cases out of 100 solely in the minds of these killjoys, who ever delight in slandering New Zealand—the most temperate country in the world.—l am, etc., GRANDFATHER