MORAL DELINQUENCY.

Waikato Times, Volume 100, Issue 16816, 7 June 1926, Page 5

MORAL DELINQUENCY.

INQUIRIES AT DUNEDIN. PARTIAL CONFIRMATION. (By Telegraph.— Pi css Association.) DUNEDIN, Juno 5. Inquiries among social workers about Colonel Knott's statement as to a Drugs Society, elicited varying replies. Ensign Coombs, of the Salvation Army, slated she knew nowhere where drugs were obtainable in Dunedin.

Rev. Bryan King spoke similarly. Sister Noia, secretary of the Society for the Protection of Women and Children, said: “I know girls do take drugs, but where they get them I don’t know.” She added she had not heard of a Secret Society. Girls bad come to her drugged saying men had persuaded them to take drugs and pills. Brigadier Burton, of the Salvation Army, confirmed Hie story staling that one of the Auckland officers bad got in touch with a girl there, obtaining sufficient information to lead her to a chemist's shop where she got a chocolate, which the Brigadier thought was being analysed now. The Brigadier added that she had been informed there was a Secret Society in New Zealand, whose purpose was to trap innocent girls. In one case a girl was found insensible in a public lavatory. The Array samarilan officer had elicited the information that the girl had been to a garden dance and had been offered and accepted chocolates.

Several Dunedin chemists who were interviewed state that normally there was little inquiry for drugs and none were given during the Exhibition. However, when there were so many overseas visitors here the inquiry was considerably greater. CONDITIONS IN WELLINGTON. DANCE MAD, PLEASURE MAD. By Telegraph —Press Association.) WELLINGTON, Monday. With reference to Colonel Knott's statement, telegraphed from Christchurch, there is a divergence of opinion as to how far the same conditions apply to Wellington. Rev. Ficlden Taylor, who is an authority, says lie has done a lot of work amongst ihe young, and has never seen the slightest thing to suggest that they take drugs.

Mrs Glover, female probation officer, however, supported Colonel Knott. Sho alleges that girls are dance mad, pleasure mad, paint and powder mad. Young girls in distress often come to her in trouble, and say they must have been drugged and knew nothing about it.

Mrs Glover does not know of any secret organisations, but blames the desire for pleasure at any cost and want of proper upbringing at home.