The Wanganui Chronicle. "NULLA DIES SINE LINEA." FRIDAY, JULY 14, 1905. INTEMPERANCE AMONG YOUNG MEN.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume XLIX, Issue 12551, 14 July 1905, Page 4

The Wanganui Chronicle. "NULLA DIES SINE LINEA." FRIDAY, JULY 14, 1905. INTEMPERANCE AMONG YOUNG MEN.

Ix the course of the interview between the representative of the New Zealand Alliance and the Premier, at Wellington on Friday last, the subject of intemperance among young men was brought forcibly under the notice of Mr. Seddon. Mr. Wesley" Spragg, of Auckland, had something to say with reference to the increase of intemperance among young men in Now Zealand, when urging the introduction of text books into State schools. Mr. Spragg said that it was of great importance that school children should be instructed as to the effect- of alcohol upon the human system, seeing that r.o many young men are lapsing from the paths of sobriety. The "New Zealand Times," very irrationally, we think, describes this statement as a libel upon the young men of the colony. The Premier, however, took a more serious view of tljje matter, and, replying generally to the deputation, he expressed himself as being deeply pained at what ho had heard; He had, he said, recently expressed the view that there was too much love of pleasure amongst the youth of the colony, but he had thought there was no fault to find on the score ot intemperance. It would itow. be his duty to inquire into the matter and to ascertain what could be done to check the evil, if it existed. Speaking in reply to the Premier's request for .-evidence, Mr. Spragg replied that some months ago a picket was formed •by the temperance people in Auckland to watch the hotels in that city. Notice was taken of the number, and also of the kind of people who came out of the hotels under:, the influence of liquor. They found to their surprise and alarm that-a large majority of the men were under 25. His own eyes were the means by which he obtained the information. He believed tnat (he more particularly referred to Auckland) the Press of the colony •would confirm the statement that the men who now frequented the hotels most were under 30 years of age downwards. The Rev. Frank ,Isitt, secretary to the Alliance, mentioned that the Auckland temperance people had tabulated their information, and he suggested that this rtiight be seat to the. Premier. For the information of our readers, we repro dr.ce the statement referred to by Mr. Isitt, —"On the initiative of the Auckland Prohibition and Temperance League, in conjunction with various kindred organisations, a census was taken on theievening of Saturday, September 10, to ascertain the number of people frequenting the public bars, and also their condition, so that the public might be correctly informed. Thirtyseven houses were under observation from "nine to ten, two observers being posted at each, and the following are the returns sent to the secretary, and tabulated: —43s2 persons came out of these hotels; of these 560 were decidedly under the influence of liquor, 150 of them being reported as absolutely drunk. Over 100 women and girls were observed, though some of the tabulators gave the numbers merely, without any distinction as to sex. In addition to the above, ,52 children came out (a number of them not more than from seven to nine years of age), who had evidently been sent to procure liquor. In all cases the most alarming feature was the number of young men, whose ages probably ranged from 17 to 30. Several of the workers remained in the street until a much later hour, and report a great deal of intoxication." As against the attempt which the "New Zealand Times" makes to belittle the seriousness of the matter referred to by thf* Alliance deputation, and its absurd contention that the statement constitutes a libel on the young: men-l:6f' New Zealand generally, it is only necessary to cite the. contrary opinioir of,: the "New Zealand Herald,"; of "Auckland. It is well known that the policy of our northern contemporary is opposei to that of the "No-license" party, but this fact tends to add, weight to j the views which it has expressed.in relation to tlie growth of intemperance among young men. "The statements made by the members of the New Zealand Alliance deputation, which waited upon the Premier the other day," says our Auckland contemporary, "are too v, ell founded to be lightly dismisse \ as a distorted or exaggerated re}>resentation of the actual facts. It must be within the common knowledge of all who walk about colonial cities with their eyes open that of late years there has been a marked increase in over indulgence in drink among young men. Formerly it was one of the most noticeable, as it was one of the most pleasing, characteristics of the young colonial that he was in no manner whatever addicted to the use of intoxicating liquor.' We should like to believe that it "is still true of the vast majority of the young men of the colony, and that they are still distinguished for their steadiness and temperance. Nor do we doubt that, taking them as a whole, their conduct in this respect will bear favourable comparison with the conduct of those of a similar age in England or elsewhere. At the same time it is impossible to deny that among a certain ■class of young men there is a marked tei-dency ■ towards excess." And, following up this candid admission of the

growth of a deplorable evil, the "New Zealand Herald" unconsciously advarces a strong srgument for the reir.c\al of tho temptation afforded by the existence of the licensed bar. "The causes of this evil,'' it says, "are liot, so far as our observation goes, due to the love of drinking, but merely to the folly and imprudence of youth, and to thai; vicious habit of strolling the streets at night in search of excitement or sociability. The widespread weakening of parental control, and the unrestiained freedom which so many young persons appear to enjoy, are no doubt also largely responsible for the regrettablo state of things that is forcing itself upon public notice." We think a!! unprejudiced people will agree with us that Mr. Wesley Spragg and his colleagues performed a valuable public service when th.s>y drew the attention of the colony to the lamentable spread of the drinking habit among the young men of New Zealand.