DRINK IN DANCE HALLS

Evening Star, Issue 23384, 29 September 1939, Page 11

DRINK IN DANCE HALLS

THE HARM DONE ID GIRLS LEGISLATIVE PENALTY INTRODUCED OPINION OF HOUSE WIDELY DIVIDED (From Ocr Parliamentary Reporter.] WELLINGTON, September 28. 44 It is not merely a question of drinking in dance halls, but one of drink being given to girls at dances,” said the Minister in charge of Police. Mr Fraser, in the House of Representatives late last night, when a new clause in the Statutes Amendment Bill providing penalties for drinking in dance halls was being considered. The Minister said he was glad that an attempt was being made to deal with this serious evil, but the question was a difficult one to deal with. The problem with such legislation was that while the evil was being corrected there

was the risk of restricting thousands of persons who were not offending. One of the main reasons why women police were required was because of drinking in and near dance halls. Great harm was being done to girls through drink being given them.

Mr J. A. Lee said they must bo careful not to pass legislation that would lead to thousands of innocent persons being treated as criminals. 'lf someone took a glass of liquor in a dance hall he was liable to be arrested. Mr Holland: Better without it at dances. Mr Lee said the way to check an evil was not by regimentation. . “ It is not the duty of the House to prohibit people in this way,” he added. In the lively discussion which followed, party linos disappeared, opponents as well as supporters of the clause being found on both sides.

The most vivid contrast in the Government speeches was heard when the Rev. Clyde Carr opposed the clause and the Rev. A. H. Nordmeyer urged its retention.

Mr Carr said the keynote of living was moderation in all things. One did not tackle such a delicate mechanism ns a watch with a sledge hammer, yet the proposal suggested using this weapon on tho delicate human mechanism. There were only two pieces of humour in the clause, and the rest made him sick and sorry.

“ Perhaps 1 might bo the last to bo expected to make a plea for strong drink,” added Mr Carr. “Oh, no!” choruseed members on both sides of the House, amid laughter. Mr Carr said it was proposed that on occasions of jollification down must coinc the legislative sledge hammer with “ Thou shalt not.” Such a law could not be enforced and would bring the law into contempt. It would spoil a lot of fun which was desirable even in wartime.

The contrasting speech from the clergyman on the same skle was that of Mr Nordmeyer, who admitted that the clause was drastic, hut urged that the evil was also drastic which it sought to remedy. He was no authority on either the tango or claret cup, but he knew that evil had to be dealt with, and he advised the Minister to get the Statutes Revision Committee to “ take off the rough edges ”- so that it might

bo shaped so as to secure the unanimous approval of the House. Another distinctive speech was made by Mrs Stewart, who said she could speak as a mother who knew what a difficult thing it was to safeguard young people against temptations. “ You do not need two or four ‘ spots ’ to enjoy a dance,” she said. “ 1 have enjoyed dancing, and have danced with partners who had a drink or two, and they made delightful pax-tners.” She had heard sentiments uttered in the discussion which would not have been heard if young girls bad been present. She hoped if the clause was considered too rigid that the House would allow it to be amended, and that something would be passed this session to safeguard our young people and help those who were not wowsers to safeguard them and make our young people happy at dances.

The Minister of Transport, Mr Semple, in supporting the clause, said the experience of his department over tho past four years had shown that many tragedies, occurring on the roads at night or in the early hours of the morning could be traced to drink consumed at dances.

Mr Coates said he had seen nothing of the conduct complained of in his district. Dance committees should have more powers.

In reply, the Attorney-General said the clause had been brought forward in response to representations made him by hundreds of social societies throughout New Zealand, and these were not confined to temperance organisations. it was the embodiment of the findings at coronial inquests, the verdicts of grand juries, the experience of the Police Force, the Justice Department, and Transport Department. From all these organisations, and from many local bodies, there had been an insistent demand for legislation of the sort contained in the clause. It appeared to he the general wish of people that it should he written into the Statute Book.

Mr. Mason told of the experience of a Wellington dance hall manager who had gathered 80 dozen bottles after one dance that had been conducted at his place. Mr Broadfoot: How many kegsP Mr .Tull: How long did the dance last a week. The Minister concluded by saying

that he would be pleased to refer tho clause to the Statutes Revision Committee, and on the motion of the Acting Prime Minister that course was taken. TERMS OF THE CLAUSE. For the purposes of the clause a hall is defined as “ buildings where any public dance is held, or where any dance is held to which admission is obtained on payment of subscriptions, either in money or by way of supplying refreshments, and whether on general or individual invitation or otherwise.” The clause does not apply to licensed premises or dwelling houses. Any person controlling a dance held in a public hall who supplies liquor to any person in the building or permits any liquor to be taken in or consumed in the hall will be liable on conviction to a fine of £2O. Any person consuming liquor in the ball or having liquor in his possession in the hall or its vicinity will be liable on conviction to a fine of £lO. Constables suspecting any breach of these provisions may enter a hall or any place in the vicinity without warrant to make search, and may remove any liquor they find. The liqhor will be forfeited to the Crown.