“STUNNING” EFFECT

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 693, 19 June 1929, Page 16

“STUNNING” EFFECT

COCKTAILS AT “SMART SET” DANCES DRINKING IN LOUNGES “Visitors from Australia had stated that they were surprised at the amount of drinking in the lounges of Auckland hotels. They were of opinion that it was as bad, or even worse, than in Sydney or Melbourne.” Allegations of after-hour trading in Auckland hotels were made at a meeting of the Auckland Council of the New Zealand Alliance on Monday evening. The president, Mr. J. W. Court, was in the chair. Reports were also made on the freedom with which cocktails and other liquors were supplied in the lounges of some of the large city hotels after hours. The Licensing Act permitted the sale of intoxicants to boarders, stated the report, but drink was by no means confined to boarders, liquor apparently being supplied to anyone on request. It was decided that steps be taken to secure legislative amendments restricting the sale of liquor after 6 o’clock, and to draw the attention of the police to what was apparently open violation of the present law. In the course of an address the Rev. C. G. Scrimgeour said that drinking by women was a very serious problem. Unfortunately, it was encouraged by many licensees, special bars being provided. Many licensees were also catering for the home consumption of liquor, putting it up in special containers for home use. This meant that many women were induced to adopt the habit of drinking, with disastrous results. Mr. Scrimgeour also said that there was also a great deal of cocktail drinking on the part of young people of the smart set,” who openly boasted of tbe “stunning” effect of the concoctions consumed at dances and other social functions.