LIQUOR SALES IN INVERCARGILL

Press, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 25179, 9 May 1947, Page 10

LIQUOR SALES IN INVERCARGILL

TRUST’S REPLY TO CRITICISM REPORTED ATTITUDE OF GOVERNMENT (PA.)- INVERCARGILL, May 7. To discuss a recent statement by the Minister of Justice (Mr H. G, R. Mason) that the Government was not happy about the working of the Invercargill Licensing Trust a special meeting of the trust was held yesterday afternoon when members expressed their views and outlined the progress made since the introduction of the system. “Members of the trust cannot reconcile the statements, attributed to the Government, that it is not happy about the licensing trust, with views previously expressed.” said the chairman (Mr H. Ritchie). “The trust has had no adverse comment from the Government and all visiting Ministers have gone out of their way to comment on the conduct of the hotels. “We claim to have brought the standard of the accommodation to as high a level as possible considering the shortage of building materials and furnishings,” said Mr Ritchie. “The trust receives special consideration in obtaining building permits, but it is quite satisfied that the accommodation offered here compares well with that offered anywhere else. We doubt if control by private enterprise would have done anything better than the trust. At present plans are being completed for four buildings and alterations and when the permits are issued these will proceed. “The trust is a genuine cross-section of the community and its members are men who have travelled throughout New Zealand and abroad. They are unanimous in the opinion that the advantages under trust control outweigh the disadvantages and are satisfied that drinking to-day‘ in Invercargill is conducted Under much better circumstances than it would be under private control. We also deny any rumour that the Invercargill trust control is a mild form of State control. This is absolutely erroneous as. never at any time since the trust was inaugurated has the Government given any direction to members nor is it in the position to do so according to the act. We think these facts should be made clear so that the people in Masterton will view the position in its proper perspective.” Referring to the implication that trust control meant only one brand of ale for sale, the secretary-manager (Mr E. 3. Barnett) said the trust had 15 brands of ale or stout and the draught beer at present used had fought its way to the front against competition.