Sunday drinking out—council

Press, 4 August 1977, Page 3

Sunday drinking out —council

The Christchurch City Council may try to persuade the Liquor Licensing Control Commission to exclude Sunday drinking in sports clubs on council reserves. Councillors are divided in their attitudes towards council involvement in the question of licences for drinking activities which have been done illegally for many years. Some councillors say the legalisation of drinking by clubs will simply put a stamp of approval on a New Zealand way of life increasingly centred on alcohol. Others say the matter should be left completely to the Licensing Commission. The parks and recreation committee this week said that drinking licences should exclude Christmas Day, Good Friday, and Sundays. That recommendation was passed 5-4, on the casting vote of the chairman (Cr P. J. RSkellerup). Drinking hours are decided finally by the Licensing Commission, but that body is seeking guidance from local bodies. Cr Skellerup said it was the obligation of councils to give the commission some guidelines. “We must have some control over drinking on parks and reserves,” he said. Under a city by-law, the sale of food, merchandise and liquor is banned without written per-

| mission from the council. 'That by-law is breached regularly by clubs that allow drinking without licences. J ■ Cr J. F. Bum said the council was going too far, and getting into matters which be left to the commission. ! “I think it is time we learned to mind our own business,” he said. “We are ;an over-regulated society already. For the council to add to it is ridiculous.” Cr Mollie Clark said it was the people’s business. Re- | serves were their land, and she was not aware of a publlic outcry for drinking on them. I “We should take due care,” she said. "There is not a 1 public demand, as such.” If the recommendations are approved by the full Jcouncil, the commission (would be asked to approve' :the following hours for all sports clubs on council land: Monday to Friday, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., and 4 pan. to 7 p.m.; Saturdays and public holidays. 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., and 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.; Anzac Day, ,12 p.m. to 2 p.m., and 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. During periods of daylight saving, closing hours would be extended 30 minutes. ■, Each club would file annual reports hy June 1, detailing liquor sale returns and membership particulars required by the Licensing Commission.