10 P.M. FOR HOTELS

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30115, 26 April 1963, Page 15

10 P.M. FOR HOTELS

Liberal Party Statement

The national council of the Liberal Parly has issued a statement in reply to a comment made by the Rev. L. R. M. Gilmour at a meeting of the Auckland Methodist Synod’s standing committee on Monday, reported in “The Press” on Wednesday.

The chief executive officer of the New Zealand Liberal Party (Mr E. L. May), said in the statement that Mr Gilmour quite rightlyexpressed concern about the effects of late closing on Maoris and those from the Island Territories, but was perhaps overlooking the causes of New Zealand's “drinking problem.”

"The archaic laws compel citizens to satisfy their desire in a limited period, in the main concentrated between 5 p.m. and 6 p m., and further encourage the consumption of alcohol in private where little, if any. control can be exercised.” Mr May said. “The expression that the Liberal Party is all out for 10 p.m. closing belittles the intention, which must be. and is. to bring about better conditions and saner habits that will allow proper control to be exercised and reduce the ill-effects of orgies organised outside licensing hours. "There are many examples in history of serious increases in crimes and undermining of moral conduct through heavy restrictions being placed upon the sale of liquor and where a problem exists no useful purpose is served in maintaining the conditions under which this is manifest. A change is needed, and probably will be needed again, but steps must be taken to solve the problem. The fear of losing votes should not dictate the basis for honest thinking and action.”