10 O’clock Hotel Closing Supported And Opposed

Press, Volume XCI, Issue 27666, 24 May 1955, Page 3

10 O’clock Hotel Closing Supported And Opposed

(New Zealand Press Association)

WELLINGTON, May 23. People were entitled to -10 o’clock closing, the licensed trade supported it, and it was time for the Government to take some action, said Mr P. Coyle, director of the National Council of the Licensed Trade, in a statement in reply to comments made at the annual meeting of the New Zealand Travel Association last week. “As the reported remarks of some of the speakers seem to raise doubt as to the attitude of the licensed trade towards extending drinking hours, let me make it crystal clear that the hotel industry is in favour of 10 o’clock closing,” he said. “If the Government repealed the 6 oclock closing law, as it should do, then the hotels would see that the new system operated to the satisfaction of the general public/* Mr Coyle said. “It is not our industry that is responsible for the present outmoded restrictions, with their inevitable consequences. *of congested drinking. Responsibility lies on the successive Parliaments’ failure or refusal to repeal the 1914-1918 war ‘emergency’ regulations for 6 o’clock closing. “For all these years Parliament has consistently denied hotels the right to so spread their hours that leisurely drinking would be possible,’’ Mr Coyle said.

“It is mischievous, as well as grossly unfair, to imply: (a) that hotels are blameworthy for existing conditions; (b) that they are opposed to a change; and (c) that if 10 o’clock closing were introduced they would not seek to make it effective,” said Mr Coyle. “On the cohtrary, in the public interest, we strongly support the whole idea of extended hours, believing that not only would they alleviate drinking standards generally, but, as well, restore to public drinking that traditional atmosphere of sociability, comfort and moderation which the present restrictions do their best to undermine. “The people of New Zealand are entitled to 10 p.m. closing,” he said. “Whatever the licensed trade can do to bring it about will be done. It must be obvious that it is now up to the Government to take some action.” Alliance - Mr H. W. Milner, general sunerintendent of the New Zealand Alliance, commenting on Mr Coyle’s statement, said: “Mr Coyle states that the responsibility for what he calls outmoded restrictions and congested drinking does not lie with the liquor trade but on the successive Parliaments which failed to repeal the 1914-1918 war emergency regulations. He knows perfectly well that the emergency regulations were repealed a month after the First World War closed. He knows also that 6 o’clock closing is on our Statute Book because it had proved so bene-

ficial that the Massey Goverihnent wrote it into permanent legislation in 1918, and it remains there today because df the overwhelming expression of the will of the people in the 1949 referendum.

“‘Congested drinking’ is the direct responsibility of the liquor trade through its failure to provide reasonable facilities for its customers, in spite of huge profits and the virtual monopoly it has had,” Mr Milner said. “The fact that the taxpayers have to maintain a control commission to try to make the trade face its responsibilities speaks for itself. “Mr Coyle says the trade will welcome and support 10 o’clock closing. Of course they will. It has been a remarkably outstanding success in New South Wales for its sponsors, the brewers; During the first five days they had to brew 600,000 gallons extra beer, and over the whole period beer consumption has increased 15 per cent. New Zealand’s beer consumption last year was 41,000,000 gallons. A 15 per cent, increase on that would be a nice little titbit for the breweries. “There is another side to the New South Wales situation,” Mr Milner sspd. “According to a broadcast talk on ‘The Churches’ Verdict on 10 O’clock Closing’ there are now two ‘swills’— an after-work ‘swill’ and a 10 o’clock ‘swill.’ Women drinkers have greatly increased. Press reports in New South Wales show that pretty generally 50 per cent, of those ‘unsteadily leaving’ licensed premises are women. More young people are drinking, and drunkenness and brawlings generally have increased. Convictions in Queensland “New South Wales has had only a short period as yet, but in Queensland, after 10 o’clock closing had been in five years, Police Commissioner Smith said that drunk convictions for men had risen 66 per cent, and for women 77 per cent., compared with a population rise of 11 per cent.,” said Mr Milner. “Mr Coyle says it is up to the Government to take action. We,, on the other hand, are pleased with the action the Government is taking in strengthening the hands of the police? with a view to effective enforcement of the law,” Mr Milner said. “Six o’clock closing is absolutely no detri-, ment to tourists. We are . told 90 per cent, are over 50 years of age, and I am told on Very reliable authority that the great majority of them do not bother about liquor. In any case, any and everyone of them staying in our hotels may have liquor any hour of the day or night quite legally. For any genuine entertainment of their guests they can also provide liquor. There is far too much nonsense on this subject put into the press, including some of its editorials.”