National Review Of Hotel Licences

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30368, 18 February 1964, Page 15

National Review Of Hotel Licences

The Licensing Control Commission has begun its national review of hotel premises licences to determine whether the provisional licences under which hotels are now operating shall be replaced by licences for hotel or tavern premises licences.

This review, and the separation it implies of accommodation and drinking facilities. where this is considered appropriate, is the most farreaching result of the 1962 Sale of Liquor Act. That act empowers the commission to set the standards for bars and the arrangements for the “reasonable comfort’’ of those who wish to drink in them. It gives the commission authority to impose on hotel owners the minimum standards which it believes are needed

for “reasonable and adequate facilities so that those who wish to do so may drink in reasonable comfort and so that the remand for facilities for the purchase and consumption of liquor is met but not stimulated.” The commission this week released its findings of a review of hotels between Shannon and Paekakariki. It is now conducting a review of country hotels near Palmerston North.

It is expected that the national review of the licences of 1100 hotels will take at least two years. Only two applications have been made so far for the conversion of hotel licences to tavern licences. One, made last year, was rejected on the ground that country hotels should continue to fulfil accommodation requirements. The other is awaiting a hearing. The Sale of .Liquor Act requires that provisional licences for hotel premises not converted by June 30, 1967, shall expire. Full licences for hotels and taverns will only be issued when the applicants have complied with the Licensing Control Commission’s drections on the standard of facilities. These may include sit-down drinking facilities.

In reviewing provisional licences, the commission is taking evidence from hotel keepers, the police on the conduct of hotels, and from health and fire authorities. It receives information from its own inspectors on buildings and facilities. The Sale of Liquor Act authorised the review to begin after January 1 this year.