Commission Sits In Christchurch

Press, Volume LXXXI, Issue 24624, 21 July 1945, Page 6

Commission Sits In Christchurch

The probability that no evidence for the Trade would be offered to the Royal Commission on Licensing during its Christchurch sitting was Intimated to the commission before it adjourned after its first day’s sitting yesterday. The prospects are that the evidence to be heard in Christchurch, including evidence from Ashburton and tbe West Coast, will be concluded by next Thursday, or Friday at the latest The commission will then sit at Invercargill. Submissions yesterday were that tourist resorts should be given more licences and that hotels there should provide more accommodation. Commercial travellers, through their associations. asked that steps be taken to provide better accommodation in hotels, that the hours of trading be extended, and that the Canterbury association be given a charter. The Canterbury Officers’ Club also made representations for a charter.

Most of the afternoon was taken hearing the views of the Methodist Church of New Zealand and later representations were heard from the management committee of the New Zealand Cricket Council lor the granting of permanent licences to sell liquors on grounds on which major cricket matches are played. The only member of the commission absent yesterday was the Hon. F. G. Young (secretary of the New Zealand Hotel and Restaurant Workers’ Union), Mr Justice Smith presided, and other members of the commission were:—Mrs B. F. Logie, the Rev. J. Thomson Macky, Messrs G. W. Hutchison, P. Malthus, J. P. Ruth, E. C. N. Robinson, and P. Coyle. Mr J. D. Willis appeared for the Crown and also as counsel to assist the commission. Mr R, Hardie Boys appeared for the New Zealand Alliance and the Licensed Trade was represented by Messrs H. F. O’Leary, K.C., P. B. Cooke, K.C., and I. Macalister.