TROUBLE IN DARWIN

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31236, 7 December 1966, Page 13

TROUBLE IN DARWIN

Drinking Law Interpretation

(N.Z. Press Association)

SYDNEY, Dec. 6.

Darwin, Australia’s rugged, steamy, most northern city, and holder of the country’s beer consumption record, is up in arms over a surprise move which has taken drinkers’ memories back to the old 6 o’clock swill days.

The move was a new interpretation of the licensing law which allows Darwin hotels to have one late night a week, serving customers up to 11.30 p.m. instead of the normal 10 p.m.

The Northern Territory’s licensing inspector, Sergeant Dave Mofflin, told licensees that they could keep only one bar open, and that everyone who wanted to drink had to stay in that bar. When the licensees complied with this over the weekend there was complete chaos, scores of customers moving from beer gardens and other bars into the one “legal” bar. Angry drinkers nearly came to blows as they were pushed and jostled by other customers trying to get into the bar.

Such was the outcry that citizens’ committees met over the week-end and decided to take the issue to the Minister for Territories, Mr C. Barnes, and if necessary to the Prime Minister, Mr Holt. The publicans are regarded as being certain to challenge the new interpretation. Darwin’s late drinking night has become an integral part of life in the city. Every hotel and club has one late night a week, and many hire bands and put on entertainment.