Hotel Hours

Press, Volume XCI, Issue 27670, 28 May 1955, Page 6

Hotel Hours

The licensed trade has now joined the variety of interests urging alteration of the’ 6 o’clock closing of hotel bars. The present agitation 1 for reconsideration of New Zealand > restrictions has apparently been encouraged by reports that 10 o’clock closing has been a success since its recent mtroduction in New South Wales, although this contested by the New Zealand Alliance. Less restrictive licensing laws have been advocated as an attraction for over- : seas tourists (though more and better hotel accommodation would seem much more important), but the interests of New* Zealanders themselves must be the main con- ! sideration. Many firmly oppose any relaxation of the closing law. On the other hand, many defy the law i consistently and many obey it but disapprove of it. The Government may well be reluctant to take any i action because of the strong support early closing was given in the ’ referendum six years ago. This referendum cannot be binding for i ever; and the time has come for • the Government to re-examine thei ’ whole question, possibly taking! : another vote. Public opinion may| have changed greatly since the last! : referendum, when complaints that 1 the issues were not clearly presented might have had some justification. The conditions governing liquor : sales in New Zealand have .been much changed by amendments to the law in the last six years. For; instance, a measure of local j i no-licence has been given in the case! [ of new licences, by the provision E for special polls. Licensing trusts! ’ and clubs have been encouraged. I Also, the Licensing Control ComJ mission, both by its policing of the J trade and by its annual comments t on 6 o’clock closing, has contributed to a new public attitude. In 1952, for instance, the commission drew “attention to the mischiefs which “it believes arise in association “with hours for the sale of intoxi- • “eating liquor as now fixed bjflaw . under the existing law they !* will not be overcome Last yean

the commission reported much evidence that hotels in many country areas were used as social centres and were a means of retaining labour in their districts. In such cases the commission though* 6 o’clock closing unsuitable. If rigidly enforced it would close down | some of these hotels. New Zeallanders who have travelled abroad | have seen for themselves that ! moderation in the enjoyment of alcohol is not necessarily found where restrictive laws are nominally enforced and may be found where reasonable freedom is legally given to drinkers.

Incidentally, the statement of Mr I Percy Coyle, director of the National I Council of the Licensed Trade, objecting to 6 o’clock closing seems to dispose of the theory that hotel proprietors themselves prefer the earlier hour. This theory was put forward by Mr Nash, then actingprime Minister, months before the referendum was taken, when the empowering legislation was before Parliament. Mr Nash predicted a “ great majority ” for 6 o’clock closing, because prohibitionists wanted it, and the licensed trade wanted it, too. Mr Coyle has now made it clear that the trade would like to give legal service if it were oUe to do so.