ENFORCING OF LIQUOR LAWS

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 28937, 3 July 1959, Page 13

ENFORCING OF LIQUOR LAWS

“Revision Of Act Desirable”

(New Zeaiana Press ‘Association i WELLINGTON. July 2.

The development of social conditions over the last 50 years has made a revision of the Licensing Act desirable to bring it into harmony with the spirit of the times, according to the Commissioner of Police iMr W. S Brown).

In his annual report to Parliament, tabled today, he describes the enforcement of. the licensing laws as ‘‘one of the most timeconsuming, frustrating and unrewarding of police duties.” In its present form, he says, the Licensing Act does not enjoy the full support of a considerable section of the public, “Which sees no moral obliquity in circumventing it, for instance by readily claiming, when unlawfully on licensed premises after hours, to be guests of someone living on the premises.” Though hotels were required to provide accommodation for the travelling public, many of them closed their doors at 6 pm. This in itself was within the law. but it facilitated “covering” of any who were unlawfully on the premises when visited by the police, and also robbed the visits of the element of surprise. Mr Brown says there is much criticism of the police in their enforcement of the licensing laws, but it should be understood that the police have no area of choice in the laws which they shall, or shall not enforce. "If it were otherwise, the situation would be chaotic. So long as laws remain on the Statute book, the police must continue to use their endeavours to see that they are observed." he added