Changed hotel hours sought

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32736, 13 October 1971, Page 3

Changed hotel hours sought

(From Our Own Reporter) GREYMOUTH, October 12. The executive of the Hotel Association of New Zealand regretted that no provision was being made by the Government to extend trading hours on the night of Friday and Saturday and on certain holidays, the president (Mr J. E. Ewart) said at the annual conference of the association in Greymouth vesterdav.

;It was unfortunate that the Government had not given heed to submissions made by the association on amendments to the law, he said.

Possible amendments included the lowering of the drinking age and the lowering of the minimum age of barmaids, and allowing staff under 20 to work round bars.

Commenting on the Sale of Liquor Amendment Bill before Parliament, Mr Ewart said that the main changes concerning the hotel industry were those relating to the abolition of fair prices, extended hours, permits for taverns, dancing in taverns on commission approval, and exemption from the provision of meals in hotels in certgin circumstances. ; - MINIMUM AGES 1 Referring to a reduction in the minimum age of hotel workers, Mr Ewart said there were a number of young per-

sons wishing to enter the industry with a view to receiving training in all aspects of hotel work which would eventually lead them to the assistant-manager level.

“I am sure all association members will be pleased to see the abolition of the fair price which has always been a bone of contention to the hotel industry,” he said. “There are enough difficulties in raising money for the erection of new hotels and taverns without having the additional onus of finding the extra funds required to meet these costs which in many instances in the past, has been quite considerable,” said Mr Ewart. PRAISE FOR WESTLAND

“I can assure you that your message is getting through loud and clear —not only is the West Coast competing for the tourist market, it is among the leaders,” Mr Ewart said in replying to the address of the Mayor of Greymouth (Mr O. H. Jackson) who officially opened the conference.

“Greymouth and the West Coast attracts almost 100,000 visitors who stay in hotels and motels, and probably another 30,000 come with caravans or to camp. PROMOTION

“They have not just come to know of the attractions of the West Coast. They have been told through the hard work of those interested in promoting the province.” said Mr Ewart.

Shantytown had captured the imagination of people throughout New Zealand and the recent promotion in Wellington had been such a success that it should be repeated quickly, he said.

Mr Jackson said it was the largest conference to have been held in the town.

The conference is being held in St James Theatre.