Aust. Licensing Laws ‘Chaotic’

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30536, 3 September 1964, Page 12

Aust. Licensing Laws ‘Chaotic’

(Special Correspondent N.Z.P.A.)

SYDNEY, September 2.

It has been said that New Zealand’s licensing laws are the most archaic in the world. If this is true, and thousands have said

it is, then the laws of Australia in this respect might well be called the most chaotic in the world.

The hours of legalised drinking in New Zealand—observed or not—are at least standard for the whole of the country as is the legal drinking age, but in Australia each State decides <)n its own licensing laws, but within the States there are variations. One newspaper this week highlighted some of. the differences between drinking in the various States. In New South Wales for instance, an 18-year-old can walk in to a bar up till 10 p.m. and order a schooner and have a 15oz glass put down before him. In Adelaide, however, the young customer would have to wait until he was 21 to put his order in before 6 p.m. and would then have a nine oz glass put in front of him if he asked for a schooner. A West Australian used to drinking a “middy” would find that in Sydney, a drink of that name was lOoz as against the 7oz he was used to. One Better All the States, except Victoria and South Australia serve pints (20oz) on demand. Victoria goes one better and services a 30oz “pint,” but South Australians have to put up with a “pint” comprising only 15oz. The following variations were listed in the State capitals: Sydney: Hours 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. (some hotels open at 6.30 a.m.); drinking age 18 years. Glass offered: A pony (soz), a 7oz glass which has no special name, a middy (lOoz), a schooner (15oz), and a pint (20oz). Melbourne: Hours 9 am. to 6 p.m.; drinking age 18 years, offers: Small beer (4oz), a glass (7oz), a pot (lOoz), and a “pint” (30oz). Brisbane: Hours 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.; drinking age 21 years, offers: A five (soz), a seven (7qz), a beer (8oz), and a pot (lloz).

• Adelaide: Hours 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Drinking age 21 years, offers: A pony- (4oz), a butcher (6oz), a schooner (9oz) and' a “pint” (15oz). Perth: Hours 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.; drinking age 21 years, offers: A pony (4oz), a glass (soz), a middy (7oz), a pot (lOoz) and a big pot (15oz).Hobart: Hours 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.; drinking age 21 years, offers: A. pony (4oz), a pot (8oz), and a pint (20oz). In addition to the differing names there are also vastly differing prices.