HOTEL HOURS IN N.S.W.

Press, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 25084, 16 January 1947, Page 3

HOTEL HOURS IN N.S.W.

VOTE ON CLOSING TIME

POLL TO BE TAKEN NEXT MONTH From C. B. MENTIPLAy. Special Correspondent, N.Z.P.A. - SYDNEY, January 15 Liquor reform m New South Wales has reduced itself for the moment to the simple issue whether hotels shall close at 6,9, or 10 o’clock. The de cision will be made on February iV when the electors will state their ore fernces by a compulsory vote This is the first opportunity citizens have been given to change the present closing hour of 6 p.m., which\?as imposed in 1916. It is understood that'if 10 o’clock Closing is carried bars will close between 6.30 and 7.30 pm 111 ■Hie campaign i« already 'briskly under way, with much expenditure of money m advertisements in newspapers, on hoardings, and on the -dr tut so far the public is more com cemed with finding a hotel which observes the statutory hours now exist mg It has become habitual for many publicans to close their doors as soon as the beer runs out, so that, even now when the United Licensed Association assures the public that more beer is being brewed than before the war. many bars are open for only four hours a day. A recent survey found 60 Sydney hotel bars closed between 3 p.m and 4.30 p.m. on Saturdays. The licensed victuallers fear a reduction of the legal hours if this continues The. supply of spirituous liquors and wines is now adequate, but many licensees prefer to concentrate on the more profitable beer sales The New South Wales Temperance Alliance is heading the fight to retain the existing hours. It claims that later closing increases drunkenness and that in Queensland and Tasmania, where !? a F e i, ClOCk cl °sinK. the 6 o’clock rush has been complemented by the 10 o’clock stampede. In Brisbane, drunkenness is said to have increased by 36 per cent, since the change was made. England. America, and France are cited as bad examples of greater freedom in drinking. CnSh J rade Council for New South Wales favoqrs the late hours, and bases its campaign on provision for more enlightened drinking. Drunkenness. it claims, is the result of workers drinking m congested conditions jOn empty stomachs in the short period ijetween the working day and the closof the hotels. Oddly enough it cites France, “where drunkenness is almost unknown,” as the perfect example of enlightened drinking. Public opinion polls reveal that there is little interest in the middle course, that men generally favour the late hour and that women want the existing closing time. Most women seem unattracted by the prospect of enjoying an evening beer with their husbands m the lounge of a local hotel. One woman voiced a widespread fear when she said: “One of us would have to stay home to mind the baby, and I have a suspicion that it would not.be my husband.” . It seems as if this will be one decision in which the women’s vote will nave an overpowering influence. There are many reasons for the belief that that influence will be directed at supporting the status quo.