A PROHIBITION BILL.

Wairarapa Age, 12 March 1923, Page 5

A PROHIBITION BILL.

INTRODUCED IN COMMONS. LADY ASTOR’S FIRST MEASURE (Received 8.35 ii.m.) London, March 9.—Lady Astor *s Bill forbidding the sale of alcoholic liquors to persons under 18 prompted an animated debate in the Commons. It was the first Bill introduced in Par liament by a woman. Lady Astor said that 90 per cent of inebriates contract the habit between the ages of 15 and 25. “Boys of 18 are children,” she said. “Why,” she exclaimed, with a sweep of her arm, “you are all children; that is why we woolen like you. Many an. English mother is praying for the success of this Bill.” She added that in one year 4063 boys and girls from 16 to 21 were arrested for drunkenness. The mcai ure would not touch clubs, not prevent children bringing dinner beer. Mr Crook (C., East Ham), seconding the Bill, said he disliked extremists on both sides. He preferred the joyous optimism of Omar Khayyam. Mr W. Greaveslord (C., Norwood), ir. opposing tho Bill, said it would lead tc drinking of a worse character than in. a publiehouse. Mr Hamilton declared that grandmotherly legislation would delay the chances of improved publichouses and create a desire in children to drink because it was prohibited. A boy would think it great to have a flask in his hip-pocket. Lady Astor had said that every boy and girl had a bit of the devil in them.

Lady Astor: “Nothing of the kind.”

Mr Hamilton: “You said you had sufficient devil in you to make you want something that was prohibited. Girls and boys are alike.” Admiral Gaunt declared that the Bill was rotten, though its object was a magnificent one. Had Eve not been originally subjected to prohibition ah’ would have been happier. He did not want “beastly prohibition,” which would tear the bottom ou 1 ; of the temperance movement. Sir F. Banbury said they could hardly see drunkenness in the upper classes. Mr Sexton (Lab., St. Helens): “You don’t see it.” Other Labour members: “They go home in cabs.” Mr W. C. Bridgman said it would be difficult to carry out such a measure. No one had been able to decide from appearances whether a person was over 18. He did not share Lady Astor’s view that beer was bad for persons under 18. In order to prevent the Bill being talked out, Lady Astor moved the closure, and the Bill was read a second time by 338 votes to 38.—(A. and N.Z.)