Big Changes In Victorias Liquor Laws Recommended

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30737, 29 April 1965, Page 7

Big Changes In Victorias Liquor Laws Recommended

(N.Z. Press Association-Copyright) MELBOURNE, April 27. Sweeping changes to Victoria’s liquor laws, including 10 pan. closing of hotel bars, were recommended to-day by Mr P. D. Phillips, Q.C., in his second report to State Parliament as Liquor Royal Commissioner. Mr Phillips said: “In my opinion no good reason exists against extending normal trading hours for the sale of liquor in hotels until 10 p.m. on all days except Sundays and Good Friday.

“In particular I am of the opinion, in so far as the examination of evidence, the consideration of probabilities and the observations of other States in the Commonwealth provide any basis, that no social evil or harm is likely to occur if this change is made.”

He said the period of trading should be 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. without a dinner break. Other major recommendations included:

Extension from 10 p.m. to 11.30 p.m. of sale of liquor “with substantial refreshments” in both hotels and licensed restaurants. Liquor bought

before 11.30 to be drunk until midnight. Sale of beer, ale and porter (stout) in licensed restaurants.

Amendment of the law to allow unions of undergraduates at universities and scholars at tertiary institutions to apply for club licences. Liquor to be sold at “live” theatres between 7 p.m. and 11 p.m. (midnight on first nights and other important occasions). Mr Phillips refused to make any special recommendation for motels. “In my opinion the demand is not real or considerable enough to justify the elaboration of a new form of licence of limited value to the public,” he said. Mr Phillips will present his third report, covering the economic aspects of the hotel industry to Parliament later this year. 51 Pages In his 51-page second report, tabled in the Legislative Assembly late today, Mr Phillips said he believes it “extremely probable” that the prevailing way of life in Australia relating to drinking will continue whatever alterations are made to trading hours in Victoria or any other State. “It is barely possible that, with an increase in trading hours, the consumption in Victoria may temporarily increase by something between three and four per cent for the adult population,” he said. “It is difficult to suppose, if such a result came about that the consequences would be serious or even noticeable.” He said any closing time tended to be accompanied by some over-rapid drinking—but this was accentuated at 6 o’clock. The “Swill” “If I were of the opinion that there were serious social

evils associated with extending drinking hours from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m., I would not think that the disadvantages of the ‘swill’ were serious enough to outweigh such serious evils,” he said. Mr Phillips said he formed the impression that defence of the existing situation had become in some cases an act of faith. “Defeat on this issue was important, not so much because it would open the way to an increase of specific social evils or accentuate existing ones, but because it would register defeat for the forces standing for morality and a victory for selfishness and self-indulgence,” he said. “To ‘stick to six’ was not solely a programme dictated by a weighing of sociological considerations, but a required resistance to the forces of darkness.” Mr Phillips said evidence presented to him was overwhelming that 6 o’clock closing was quite unsuited to working conditions in rural areas. “Somewhat Puzzled” “I was somewhat puzzled to understand why some representatives of rural areas were not more emphatic in wishing to secure for their constituents a reasonable enjoyment by extending trading hours so as to give them equality in practice with urban consumers,” Mr Phillips said. “But in due time it was made clear to me that effective cessation of hotel drinking at 6 p.m. did not occur and could not be enforced in rural areas. “Police evidence showed that not only was 6 p.m. unsuitable for rural conditions, but enforcement of the law was impracticable.”

Customers to be allowed to take their own liquor, including beer, for consumption with meals at approved but unlicensed restaurants.

Creation of a special “cabaret” licence to allow drinking with food between 8.30 p.m. and 3 a.m. each week night and on Saturday nights till 3 a.m. on Sunday. Hotels and licensed restuarants to be eligible for the licence.