TOURIST TRADE

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

TOURIST TRADE

SOUTH ISLAND RESORTS NEED FOR LICENCES SEEN Concern at the inadequacy of accommodation at scenic resorts was expressed by Mr J. N. Clarke, on behalf of the South Island Local Bodies Association, at a sitting of the Royal Commission on Licensing yesterday. He emphasised that the association was concerned solely with the question of the effect of the Licensing Act on tourist traffic. ... , More than 1000 persons were .refused accommodation at Queenstown during the last Christmas-New Year period, said Mr Clarke. The association was greafly concerned that overseas tourists might be discouraged from visiting some of the more attractive resorts because there were no licensed houses. At such places as Hanmer, the Marlborough Sounds, Milford Sound, sud the Fox Glacier, visitors were required either to take liquid refreshments with them or go without. "The association considers it ridiculous that towns with a population of 2000 or 3000 should have up to 10 licensed houses,” said Mr Clarke. "Three or four could cater for the maximum demand both for bar trade and guests.” An Immediate redistribution of licences was essential and would undoubtedly enable licensees to improve the standard of accommodation; If the licensing polls were held every seven years, the licensing authorities could insist upon a higher standard. There was a need to ensure that departing and arriving guests could be assured of meals at reasonable hours, by allowing some reasonable elasticity in the hours of hotel workers. Mr R. Hardie Boys (for the New Zealand Alliance): I suggest that the local interests at Hanmer Springs would dissociate themselves from your plea for a licence there? —I would not say th The Queen Mary Hospital is there and are not people sent away from Christchurch to there to ‘‘get away from the bottle’’?—To be candid, it would be the worst place, for bottles are encouraged because there is no licence. Answering further questions by the commissioners, Mr Clarke said the association did not appear to be in favour of municipally-owned hotels. He could see no reason why the licences at hotel resorts should not be ordinary hotel licences. , * ~, At the request of the chairman (Mr Justice Smith), Mr Clarke promised to present definite evidence that 1000 persons were unable tp be accommodated at Queenstown during three weeks of the Christmas holiday season or to retract his statement candidly. CHARTER WANTED CANTERBURY OFFICERS’ CLUB 1 A request for the granting of a charter was made to the Royal Commission on Licensing yesterday by Major A. R. Alexander, on behalf of the Canterbury Officers’ Club (Mr W. R. Lascelles). As both membership and guests were restricted to commissioned service personnel, the club did not compete with hotels, he said. In the Southern Military District, any officers in uniform were forbidden to drink in hotel bars. The club’s membership was equal to that of other local clubs with a charter and was expected to exceed 500 when hostilities ended. The bar system had never operated. The club approved authority to grant charters being left to the licensing committee in each district, appeal being allowed to a central licensing body, The continued existence of service clubs during times of peace and apathy towards defence, was important, and was imperilled unless the atmosphere of the regimental mess and some conviviality were promoted by facilities for liquor. Hours suitable for hotels were not suitable for clubs. Questioned, Major Alexander said officers in uniform could only drink in lounges at present.