Hotel age forms next week

Press, Volume CXIII, Issue 33189, 31 March 1973, Page 16

Hotel age forms next week

Young drinkers challenged on their age soon will have to fill in an age declaration form before they will be served in any of the 1070 hotels throughout the country affiliated to the Hotel Association of New Zealand.

The form, which was ap- ■ proved by the association and the Hotel Workers’ Federation last week, is expected 'to be available in all hotels ■ by the end of next week. I Whenever there is doubt 'that a person is over 20. he ■or she will be asked to fill in the form with signature, address and date, attesting that “having been challenged regarding my age. I hereby certify that 1 am over the age ■ of 20 vears and under section 259 of the Sale of

-< Liquor Act. 1962. entitled te I purchase and consume liquor Jon licensed premises.” 1- Liquor will not be served > to any person who refuses to fill in the form, and. in view Hof recent instances of falsi :, fication of the age in driver's II licences, young customers • 1 might be asked to fill in a I form even after production of 'ltheir licences. j NO LEGAL STANDING The forms are intended to 'assist licencees and the-.r jstaffs to overcome the prob lem of minors purchasing liquor and the hotel workers hope it might also give bar men some protection from prosecution for serving minors.

; The executive officer of the (Canterbury branch of the ' Hotel Association (Mr S Phillips) said yesterday that although the forms had no legal standing, it was hoped that they would be regarded by the courts as being a (genuine and practical step by I hoteliers and their staff to (ascertain the true age of a • customer. I The Minister of Justice (Dr (Finlay) has indicated that the (scheme should have a trial las a preliminary to any amendment to the Sale of ;Liquor Act as it. applies to minors.