SECRET SOCIETIES GIVE DRUGS TO YOUNG N.Z. FOLK.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17865, 5 June 1926, Page 1

SECRET SOCIETIES GIVE DRUGS TO YOUNG N.Z. FOLK.

COLONEL KNOTT MAKES SERIOUS ALLEGATIONS.

CH’CH POLICE KNOW ALL ABOUT IT, HE ASSERTS

Secret organisations among the youth of both sexes for the purpose of living immoral lives and the distribution of drugs, exist in New Zealand, according to Colonel C. Knott, Chief Secretary of the Salvation Army. Colonel Knott stated that since his arrival from Canada three months ago, what he had seen of New Zealand had surprised and disappointed him.

“ Our experience goes to show that while things are not improving to any extent, it mtist be borne in mind that the country is still suffering from war effects," said Colonel Knott. “We are trying to find ways and means of helping the young people, but our greatest, difficulty is that amongst the young folk of this country there are secret societies, and we have found it very hard to get facts from the members of these. Yes, this is true. There are secret societies composed of }'Oung persons in New Zealand. In fact, I

will say the ■ it is prevalent. It would open the eyes of many people if they only knew the true state of affairs. The Inspector of Police in Christchurch knows all about it. “ What are these societies doing? They are making drug addicts of young people, and there are other sins too. And we can’t get them to talk. One young woman told us only the other day that she would sooner throw herself in the river than tell us what we wanted to know. She was scared and terrorised. She ■was full of the* drug, and was threatening to commit suicide and do all sorts of rash things. She was bound to secrecy, and would not tell. “ That is all they tell us—that they are bound to secrecy. This sort of thing is prevalent, 1 say, right through the country. Oh, it would surprise you. It is really distressing. We are doing our best to save these young people, and I think I can say that things are improving.” “ Do you think that ‘ the Jazz Age * is applicable to the present condition of affairs?” Colonel Knott was asked. “Well,” he replied, “I would rather hesitate to acknowledge that. I know the condition of affairs in Canada and America, and I can confidently say that jazz is very much on the wane in the Western world, and a very strong religious movement is making itself felt among the young people generally. The Jazz Age has spent its force, and the young folk are looking for something more tangible to occupy their time. “ This is evidenced by the fact that the theological colleges are showing ir» creases in the students attending them, also by the activities of the young people of the Student Christian movement, which has had a great boost during the last year or two.” “ "What do you think of New Zealand youth generally?” was a question which brought a frown to Colonel Knott’s genial features. “ I must say that I have been a little disappointed with what I have found in New Zealand, and my firm opinion is that New Zealand does not know how New Zealand lives. There is tremendous sympathy here for good philanthropic work, and there is no great lack of funds, but few people have any idea of the extent to which moral delinquency exists in this country. “ New Zealand being an older and more developed country than western Canada, which I know best, does not compare favourably with its sister dominion. I say that honestly.”