IS IT TRUE?

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 3046, 10 June 1926, Page 4

IS IT TRUE?

THE DRUG HABIT IN NEW ZEALAND. - SERIOUS ALLEGATIONS BY SALVATION ARMY OFFICER. Christchurch, June 5. Declaring that secret organisations composed of the youth of both sexes are in existence throughout New Zealand for the purpose of distributing drugs and living immoral lives generally, Colonel Knott, chief secretary of the Salvation Army, stated last evening at Christchurch (reports a Press Association message) that what he had seen of the Dominion since his arrival from Canada tlnee months ago had been a great surprise and disappointment -to him. “There is tremendous sympathy here fox* good pliilanthi'opic work, and there is no great lack of funds,” he said, “but few people have any idea of the extent to which moral delinquency exists in this country.” Inquiries among social workers about Colonel Knott’s statement elicited vai’ying replies. Ensign Coombs, of the Salvation Army, stated that she knew no where where drugs could be obtained in Dunedin. The Rev. Bryan King spoke in the same sense. Sister Nora, secretary of tlye Society for the Protection of Women and' Children: “I know girls do take drugs, but where they get them I don’t know.” She added that she had not heard of any secret society. Girls had come to her drugged saying that men had persuaded tlfern to take drugs or pills. Brigadier Burton, of the Salvation Army, confirmed the story stating that one of the Army’s Auckland officers got in touch with a girl there and obtained sufficient information to lead her to a chemist’s shop, where she got chocolate, which the Brigadier said he thought was being analysed now. The Brigadier added that he had been informed that there was a secret society in New Zealand whose purpose was to trap innocent girls. In one case a gii'l was found insensible in a public lavatory, and an Army Samaritan officer elicited the information that the girl had been to a garden dance, and had been offered and accepted chocolates. Several Dunedin chemists, when inleiwiewed, stated that normally there is little inquiry there for drugs, and none are given. During the Exhibition, however, when many overseas visitors were there, the inquiry was considerably greater.

WELLINGTON’S OPINION. Wellington, June 7th. The Comissioner of Police, Mr. Mcllveney, said to-day regarding Col. Knott’s ding allegations, that he had nothing to say. Colonel Knott, who is now in Wellington, said he wished to make it clear that the Salvation Army was not acting as detectives. It did not search out drug victims; evidence of the evil had to come to its notice, but the Army was not taking any part in official action with police investigation. He remarked that New Zealand does not know how New Zealand lives. The Army was looking into the matter of drugs, and until the report was available, lie did not wish to say anything further. NO ORGANISATION IN DUNEDIN. Dunedin, June 7. The Superintendent of Police states he has received no intimation of the existence of any drug distributing organisation among youg pople. Chief Detective Lewis said the same, adding: “Somebody has been telling a tale, and lie might be confusing us with Buenos Aires.” CHRISTCHURCH OPINIONS. Christchurch, June 7. Among pharmacists in Christchurch, the opinion was expressed to-day that the prevalence of drugging alleged by Col. C. Knott, of the Salvation Army, was very much over stated. However, contrary opinions are held by sonic prominent social workers. “I have seen receipted bills for £2O, £lO and £l2 each, for stocks of narcotics bought from ono source at different times. This is in Christchurch, and in a form suitable for immediate injection,” Mrs H. F. Herbert, a prominent social worker in Christchurch, said. “The Drug Act has not been amended for 50 years. The person alluded to as having bought large supplies was a nurse who took her supplies out into the country.” " “I don’t come into contact with m,any drag addicts in my work. The remarkable thing so far as I am concerned is the aspirin consumed, and the drinking, but I don’t know what Colonel Knott had in his mind. I could not bear him out,” said Miss E. J. M. Cardale, secretai’y for the Society of the Protection of Women and Children. “It’s all bosh so far as I know, and I think that other pharmacists will bear me out in this,” said the manager of a large pharmacy. Another ichemis't said: “I was surprised to hear Colonel Knott’s statement. I think it is overstated, though of.course social workers would come into contact with addicts where chemists would not.

Another pharmacist said that the allegations were far from the truth. Drug taking was not increasing, and it was being watched very

closely by pharmacists and the medical profession. Di\ T. L. Crooke, police surgeon, said that although he did not know, he did not think that Colonel Knott had overstated the position. He met, both in general practice and as a police medical officer, many eases chiefly among middle aged people and people over 30 years of age. As to the sources of supply lie could not make any statement. AjUCKLAND ARMY REFUSES COMMENT. Auckland, June 7. Statements regarding the prevalent use of drugs by young people in Auckland were referred to the local headquarters of the Salvation Army, whose officers in the South were responsible for, the serious allegations made, Lient. Colonel J. J. Toomer said he had read the reports as published in the papers, but did not wish to make any comment. It was represented to Colonel Toomer that some of the statements were of a very serious nature, and cast grave reflections on the youth of the city. A specific statement had been made with regard to one girl, who was said to have been drugged by eating chocolates containing drugs. It was added, that this girl’s word had been tested by an officer going to a chemist and buying chocolate of a certain number, which was found to contain a drug. “I know nothing of that,” said Colonel Toomer, “I think there has been a mistake somewhere, but I. am writing to national headquaiters in Wellington regarding the matter.” “But surely such a case as that quoted in the South would have been referred to the police for investigation,” persisted the reporter. .Colonel Toomer declined to discuss this aspect of the question, also stating that the matter would probably be cleared up from WelLngton.