WOMEN WHO SMOKE

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 269, 23 March 1911, Page 5

WOMEN WHO SMOKE

AND GAMBLE AT

Christchurph,' March 21. Iu an address to the Presbyterian Church Association' Mr..B. G-. Ell, M.P., referred to tW'gttiublinV that was, he said, at present intmlged in by women in this country at bridge parties. He had it on the authority of a lady, not in Christchurch, who oecupied a good position in life, and who moved in tlie best society circles, that it had not been safe for her to make afternoon calls for years. She could walk into many friends' houses, and with the exception of half ft dozen, find ladies playing bridge and smoking. He also had it on the authoiity of a leading dentist that the greatel part of liis business was the whitening of women's teeth blackened through smoking, no doubt when playing bridge. . He (Mr. Ell) knew he laid himself open to ridicule in making the allegations he had, but he believed it his duty to publicly draw attention to the evil that undoubtedly existed. One evening recently a gentleman friend of his going home in a tramcar had met a lady friend, and - asked her why she looked so worried, and she had retorted, "And so would you if you had lost your month's allowance playing bridge." A gentleman in a high position in life in New Zealand had told him that lady friends of his were wont to assemble of a forenoon, pull down the blinds oi the house, switch on the electric light, and gamble at bridge all the morning. Were he (Mr. , Ell) not absolutely sure of his facta he ; would not tell them. He had heard statements in regard to Christchurch, but instances in other places served to emphasise the point jnaWJ well, and it was not good. stirring up bad blooa here. "•