LIQUOR SUPPLIED TO YOUTHS.

White Ribbon, Volume 27, Issue 313, 18 July 1921, Page 3

LIQUOR SUPPLIED TO YOUTHS.

The keeper of a wine shop in Hawera was charged with serving three youths under the age of 21 with liquor. The only defence was that the shop had previously been well conducted. The Magistrate remarked that the man was liable to a tine of £ 10, and that he was inclined to order an endorsement of his license, with a view to impressing the public with the seriousness of selling to youths. Anyone could see the youths were under 21. He was fined £lO and costs. Is this sufficient penalty to act as a deterrent? Another case heard at the same time was a barman at the Central Hotel, who also served youths. He also was fined £lO and costs. The licensee was also charged. He pleaded ignorance, but the Magistrate said this did not release him under the Act. It mast be brought home to other licensees that they cannot get out of an offence simply by giving instructions to the Itarman not to serve youths. The landlord was on the premises, and had been guilty of a certain amount of neglect. He was fined £lO and costs, and his license was not endorsed. Where liquor is so easily obtainable by youths one is not surprised to read that four men were charged with disturbing a dance. They went to the dance partly under the influence of liquor, and also took a supply of whisky with them. Much bad language was used, and blows exchanged. The Magistrate said It was a sad state of affairs when people could not enjoy '.her iselves without being disturbed and insult ad by men under the influence of liquor. We quite agree with the Magistrate, and think the liquor, the real culprit, should be punished by banishment.