MORAL PROBLEMS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 24 July 1942, Page 3

MORAL PROBLEMS

CAUSING SERIOUS CONCERN IN AUSTRALIA MANY GIRLS LEADING DANGEROUS LIVES. ENFORCEMENT OF LIQUOR RESTRICTIONS. (Received This Day, 10.10 a.m.) (Special P.A. Correspondent.) SYDNEY, This Day. Many young girls in Australian cities are stated by the police to be leading dangerous lives. The number of girls who have suddenly left home for no apparent reason and who have been reported missing has increased heavily since the war began. M&ny of them have been found in the company of soldiers, sailors and airmen. Frequently the Service men are quite blameless and have shown themselves quick to assist the police when they have discovered that the girls were much younger than they had believed. In Sydney a squad of specially trained women police has been responsible for the rescue of many young girls. Others have been taken befoie the Children’s Court and placed in institutions. The police morality squad has found increases in the numbers of girls drinking in hotels. In Melbourne this week, two girls found drinking in an hotel and brought before a magistrate were stated to be aged seventeen and fourteen. The older girl, who was ordered to remain for six ’months at a Salvation Army home, said sailors had paid her hotel board for two nights. The younger girl will be dealt with by the Children’s Court. The high incidence of social diseases among young girls has also been causing grave concern. Venereal infection has been found in girls of fifteen. Combined with its drive against immorality, Australia is also determined that restrictions on liquor sales shall not stimulate attempts to manufacture “moonshine.” Excise officers have been instructed to keep a close watch to prevent any growth of illicit spirit distillation and beer brewing. Several convictions have been made, a majority originating from private informants who stand to gain a minimum of £25 if the information leads to a conviction. Making illicit spirit may bring a fine of up to £5OO. Opponents of liquor restrictions declare that the reduced beer supply has resulted in harmful heavy drinking of cheap wines, appropriately known as “plonk.”