Better Hotel Facilities Noted By Commission

Press, Volume XCVI, Issue 28370, 31 August 1957, Page 14

Better Hotel Facilities Noted By Commission

(New Zealand Press Association)

WELLINGTON. August 30. ■ It was perhaps too soon to judge whether tourists and travellers would receive added services or amenities resulting from the freedom of some hotels from tariff control, states the annual report 'of the Licensing Control Commissicn. tabled in the 7 ouse of Representatives today. The grant of exemption from controls is still subject to approval of the tariffs proposed to be charged and to undertakings required to be giVen by the appli- ] cant, says the report. Z witness holding a responsible I position in the hotel industry l stated recently at a public hear-; ing before the commission that the promised freedom “has been merely an illusion.” However, continues the report, all premises freed from tariff, control should now be able *i ; all times to provide their guests with amenities and with prompt and courteous service, which in many cases they did not provide when under control. Those amenities and services should be kept at a standard in conformity with the tariffs charged. The report records the pleasure' of the commission at marked improvements which had been made in standards of accomi mdation and drinking facilities, some of which had been carried out as the result of specific directions and others voluntarily.

“With regard to drinking facilities. bars generally tend to be enlarged and made more spacious and airy than formerly, ’ and there is usually provision for comfortable lounge drinking for both sexes,” states the report. “In a number of cases the commission has seen attractive and roomy outdoor facilities provided in the form of beer gardens, where liquor is consumed by customers seated at tables in more leisurely fashion than is possible when standing at crowded bars,’’ the report goes on. Not infrequently, lifht refreshments, such as sandwiches, were procurable in beer gardens. These improvements were in a ?»rdance with what the commission had repeatedly remarked regarding the consumption of alcohol—that it. should be consumed under i conditions where there was ample snare and amnl* time In which

to drink, and. preferably, the opportunity of partaking of food as well as liquor.

It. had been a matter of constant complaint over the last seven years that hotels had been unable to provide amenities and services and frequently to carry out necessary improvements to premises because of tariff and building controls. Recently building controls had disappeared, and in future this form of control could not be advanced as a reason for owners or licensees failing to carry out directions of either the commission or licensing committees.