DRINK AT DANCES

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20055, 29 September 1939, Page 6

DRINK AT DANCES

STORMY DEBATE VIEWS IN PARLIAMENT PROPOSAL OF PENALTY CLAUSE DEFERRED REQUEST FOR REVISION (Parliamentary Reporter.) WELLINGTON, this day. “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, the Hon. P. 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 that he was glad ■:hat an attempt was being made to deal with a serious evil, but the question was a difficult one to doM with. The problem with such legislation was that, while the evil was being corrected, there was a 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 lxear dance halls. Great harm was being done to girls through drink being given them. Mr. J. A. Lee (Lab.. Grey Lynn) said they must be careful not to pass legislation that would lead to thousands of innocent persons being treated as criminals. If someone took a glass of liquor in a dance hall, he was liable to be arrested. Mr. S. G. Holland (Nat., Christchurch North): Better without it at dances. Way to Check Evil Mr. Lee said that 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 lines disappeared, opponents as well as supporters of the clause being found on both sides. A most vivid contrast in Government speeches was heard when Mr. C. L. Carr (Lab., Timaru) opposed the clause and Mr. A. H. Nordmeyer (Lab., Oamaru) urged its retention. Mr. Carr said the keynote of living was moderation in all things. One did not tackle such a delicate mechanism as a watch with a sledge hammer. Yet the -proposal suggested using this weapon on delicate human mechanism. There were only two pieces of humour in the clause and the rest made him sick and soirry. “Perhaps I might be the last to be expected to make a plea for strong drink,” added Mr. Carr. “Oh! No!” chorussed members of both sides of the House amid laughter. “Thou Shalt Not” Mr. Carr said it was proposed that, on occasions of jollification, down must come the legislative sledge-ham-mer 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.

A contrasting speech from another clergyman on the same side was that of (Mr. Nordmeyer, who admitted that the clause was drastic but urged that the evil was also drastic which it sought to remedy. He said he was no authority on either the tango or claret cup, but he knew that the evil had to be dealt with and he advised the Minister to get the Statutes Revision Committee to "take off the irough edges,” so that it might be shaped so as to secure the unanimous approval of the House.

Another distinctive speech was nade by Mrs. C. Stewart (Lab., Wellington West) 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. "I have enjoyed dancing and have danced with partners who had a drink or two and they made delightful partners.” Safeguarding Young People

She said she had heard sentiments utteired in discussion which would not have been heard if young girls had been present. She hoped that if the clause was considered too rigid .the House would allow it to be amended and that something would be passed this session to safeguard young people and help those who were not wowsers, safeguard them and make the young people happy at dances.

Mr. W. J. Broadfoot (Nat., Waitomo) said there was a very prevalent evil at country dances and that was the person who sold liquor in the vicinity of the dance hall from a motor car.

Mr. J. A. Roy (Nat., Clutha) contended that drastic measures needed drastic cures. He said he would rather lose his seat in Parliament than vote against the clause. The Minister of Transport, the Hon. R. Semple, in supporting the clause, said the experience of his department over the past four years had shown that'many tragedies occurring on roads at night or in the early hours of the morning could be traced to drink consumed at dances. The Rt. Hon. J. G. Coates (Nat., Kalpara) said that in his district he had seen nothing of the conduct complained of. Dance committees should have more powers.

Dominion-Wide Represenations

In reply, the Attorney-General, the Hon. H. G. R. Mason, said the clause had been brought forward in response to representations made to him by hundreds of social societies throughout New Zealand and these were not confined to temperance organisations. It was an embodiment of findings at ooronial inquests, verdicts of grand iuries, the experience of the Police Force, the Justice Department and the Transport Department. From all of 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 be the general wish of the people that it should be written into the Statute Book. Mr. Mason told of an experience of a Wellington dance hall manager who had gathered np 80 dozen bottles after one dance that had been conducted at his place.

Mr. Broadfoot: How many kegs? Mx-. A. E. Jull .(.Nat., Waipawa)

How long did the dance last, a week? The Minister concluded by saying that he would be pleased to refer the clause to the Statute Revision Committee and on the motion of the acting Prime Minister, that course was taken. The House rose at 1.3 a.m. until 10.30 a.m. to-dhy.