LIQUOR AT DANCES

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 80, Issue 248, 19 October 1937, Page 8

LIQUOR AT DANCES

DANGER TO YOUNG GIRLS JUDGE REED’S OPINION GRAND JURY’S SUPPORT [ Per Press Association. J WELLINGTON, Oct. 18. The danger constituted by liquor to young girls at ; üblic dances was commented on by Mr. Justice Reed in his charge to the Grand Jury at the opening of the criminal sessions. He made veiled reference to abortion, saying that it might have some origin in promiscuous drinking at dances. He said that the Grand Jury could make representations to obtain some prohibiting measure. The Grand Jury returned with ihe following recommendations: “That this Grand Jury strongly recommends that legislation be enacted making it an offence to bring or consume liquor in any dance hall, and also that steps be taken to prohibit drinking in motor-cars by those attending such dance halls.” Mr. Justice Reed said that the recommendation was very valuable and he would see that it was transferred to the proper authorities. The Judge’s remarks were made following his reference to a serious charge concerning a female. Evidence would be given, he said, that the couple met for the first time at a public dance and drank beer before the alleged offence occurred. “I think you will probable agree that it emphasises the necessity for some sort of supervision at these public dances,” said His Honour. “Consistently one sees in the newspapers of cases of drunkenness. Liquor is brought to them by men as a rule and much of it is consumed by young girls. In these days chaperones are unknown, and girls go unaccompanied to these dances. The dangers due to drinking in those circumstances are obvious. May not a more serious crime, which had been publicly discussed recently, have some origin in this promiscuous drinking at these dances. You are entitled, if you think it wise to do so, to make some representations with regard to it, as to whether something could not be done to prohibit liquor being brought to these dances. The danger to young girls is obvious.” A gradual lessening in serious crimes in New Zealand was noted by Mr. Justice Reed, there being only two cases for trial, but the Judge said that this did not definitely indicate an absence of crime in the district, as 19 persons had pleaded guilty in the Magistrate’s Court since last session and 21 crimes had been represented in the last quarter. At the s ime time there were indications that serious crime was gradually lessening, and that was a matter for congratulation. The type of crime that was a familiar charge, the negligent use of a motorcar so as to cause death or bodily injury, was absent this session, but that did not show that there was no negligence in the district, as there were no fewer than twelve cases on the civil list in which damage and injuries were alleged to have been caused by the negligence of the defendants.