LIQUOR SALES BY CLUBS

Press, Volume XCI, Issue 27639, 21 April 1955, Page 15

LIQUOR SALES BY CLUBS

CHARTER EXTENSIONS SOUGHT

COMMISSION RESERVES DECISIONS

The removal of a restriction in its charter which forbids it from selling liquor for consumption off the premises was sought by the Canterbury Officers’ Club at a sitting of the Licensing Control Commission in the Magistrate’s Court at Christchurch yesterday. Decision was reserved. The commission comprised Messrs A. M. Goulding (chairman) and L. C. Nisbet. The applicant was represented by Mr G. C. Weston. Mr W. E. Leicester appeared for the National Council of the Licensed Trade.

“It has been said that hotels are feeling the effect of sales by chartered clubs, Mr Weston said. “This may be so, but the Government did give the commission power to grant charters and the right to permit sales for offpremises consumption, and it must have envisaged this.” The club sought the removal of the restriction as an additional amenity and further convenience for members to be used occasionally and not habitually. It was not expected that sales would be great or that there would be any substantial increase in the club’s revenue.

Alan Roy Barnsdale, secretary of the club, said that some years ago it was decided to establish a building fund, and this now stood at £8358. A large part of the profits from the sale of liquor for consumption on the premises had been appropriated to this fund, and the club hoped to build on the property recently bought at 64 Gloucester street. In the year ended February 28. 1954, £l3OO was appropriated to this fund. The year’s profit ii om the sale of liquor was £1645. Inspector W. R.» Miller said that

he would make a formal objection to the application and other similar applications on behalf of the Police Department. “Sale of liquor off premises would tend to make clubs beer houses and the sale of liquor the first consideration of the club,” said witness.

“Present licensed premises for the sale of liquor in the Christchurch Police District are sufficient and comprise 153 licences,” said witness. An application for an extension of privileges to allow the sale and supply of liquor for consumption off club premises was made by an association of six Westland working men’s clubs. The clubs—Hokitika, Greymouth, Blackball, Brunner, Kunanga and Reefton —were represented by Mr T. Pratt. An objection to the application by the inspector of police at Greymouth (Inspector A. Johnston) was read by Inspector Miller. “In their attempts to further the sale of liquor it would appear as if these clubs are endeavouring to make the supply and sale of liquor the main social activity and source of income,” said Inspector Johnston in his objection. “The public generally does not benefit.” Mr H. W. Milner, general superintendent of the New Zealand Alli-

ance, said that the organisation Maintained that consumption of liquor supplied by clubs should all be on the premises.

Similar applications were made by the South -Canterbury R.S.A. (Mr J. Farthing) and the Ashburton R.SA. (Mr A. J. Nicoll). Decision was reserved in all cases.