Baptists’ Opposition To Airport Liquor Licence

Press, Volume C, Issue 29638, 7 October 1961, Page 13

Baptists’ Opposition To Airport Liquor Licence

The issue of a licence to sell or serve liquor at Harewood or any other airport restaurant is opposed by the executive of the CanterburyWestland Baptist Association. It has asked the Prime Minister (Mr Holyoake) that a directive should be issued by the Attorney-General or the Minister of Justice to the Licensing Control Commission not to grant a licence. In its letter to Mr Holyoake, the executive urges that if a directive - is not issued a referendum on the issue should be held and the decision should be a mandate to the Licencing Control Commission. The executive asks that a directive be issued for the following reasons:—

“(1) It is against public interest and well-being. “(2) There is good reason to believe that the public do not want the introduction of liquor at airports and that a considerable majority of the people will be found to be against this proposal. “(3) The proposal that the Harewood restaurant be licensed to sell and serve liquor was put to the joint Select Parliamentary Committee which ‘weighed it carefully’ and ‘reached the conclusion that the granting of a special licence of this nature ought not to be provided for.’

“(4) The Select Committee which recommended that restaurants should be licensed to provide liquor, in the same report recommended ‘that the proposal be not agreed to and that no action be taken to amend the law in the manner suggested.’ “(5) Airports, and the lovely Harewood in particular. have proved to be very popular resorts for family pleasures and outings. They also have a great attraction for young people. School parties go over the Harewood airport. Harewood is also the southern base for Operation Deep Freeze and holds added attraction by reason of the large American planes. For these reasons liquor should not be sold or consumed anywhere on the premises.

“(6) We have always understood that it is against Government policy to grant licences at the airport. “(7) This militates against the expressed desire of the people voiced by referendum against drinking in the evening hours. Further, it will tend to create a greater traffic hazard by drinking drivers within busy parts of the city. “(8) We feel grave concern that the Licensing Control Commission should consider granting a liquor licence in face of the Select Committee’s attitude and in spite of the fact that the Government refused to authorise liquor sales at airports in last year’s legislation although they had been urged so to legislate.”