"ANTIQUATED LAWS"

Auckland Star, Volume LXXVI, Issue 120, 23 May 1945, Page 6

"ANTIQUATED LAWS"

REFORMS SUGGESTED EX-SERVICEMAN'S VIEWS The opinion that many of the abuses of liquor were the result of antiquated laws and not of the individual was expressed by James Trevor Donovan, waterside worker, and a former member of the 2nd N.Z.E.F., when giving evidence before the Royal Commission on Licensing today. Referring to the fighting qualities of New Zealand troops, he said these would not have been evident had the men. been "soaked in alcohol" as militant prohibitionists would have the public believe. The men overseas ■ would take a grave view of any attempt to restrict their liberty of enjoying liquor in moderation. Drinking methods and licensing in New Zealand compared unfavourably with, those overseas. Witness said he believed that the wholesale condemnation of hotels was unjustified; the majority were well run and gave the public good service. In hotels where service was sacrificed to the bar trade, a rational licensing system would soon bring them' to book." : He also advocated a. review of licenses where accommodation was not provided, the re-distribution of licenses, the provision of seating accommodation in bars, tha extension of hours in lounge b;rs to 9 o m., and the adoption of he English system for of liW shoos for consumption off the premises. Witness added that returned servicemen should .be given consideration when licenses were being re-distributed- -, '■'"; .■•--■ f .