A MORAL MENACE.

White Ribbon, Volume 42, Issue 493, 18 October 1936, Page 2

A MORAL MENACE.

Such was the description of an Auckland restaurant given by the Police Sergeant at a recent Court case. The Sergeant and a friend had visited the restaurant and purchased two ‘‘rounds” of drinks. They also bought beer in the kite hen. and saw other men buying and drinking !>eer in the kitchen. On all three occasions on which the detective visited the place women, as well as men. were drinking in the kitchen, where the liquor was sold. Later on the place was visited by a posse of police with a search warrant. In the lift-well were found 62 empty pint bottles, and in suit cases a number of full bottles. bottles of gin were found, and several people were there, including women. Suli-Inspector Scott stated in the Magistrate's Court: "This place has been going for some time, and still is. It has caused endless trouble through men taking young women to drink there. It is a moral menace in the city.” The Magistrate remarked: ‘‘And the licensed houses get the blame for what happens when these young girls get liquor.” Social workers know what happens to these young girls, who come to them for help when their unwanted bal>e arrives, or they go to those who will illegally prevent its arrival. But the licensed houses are to some extent responsible. If no person held a license to sell, then when an intoxicated person was arrested someone had illegally sold liquor to him. but it is now difficult to And out whether liquor, which does such harm and is such a menace to our race, is purchased legally or illegally. One fact stands out. that to license the sale of liquor does not prevent sly-grog selling. - ,** —A*—At—-