Bar hours and violence

Press, 17 August 1977, Page 10

Bar hours and violence

PA Auckland Was New Zealand more violent when the pubs closed at 6 p.m.? The chairman of Dominion Breweries, Ltd, (Sir Henry Kelliher) says he does not think so. He made this comment at the company’s annual meeting after two women shareholders asked the board to try to do more at a “moral” level to help curb violence — including death;; of the road — attributed to drinking. One woman suggested providing food for drinkers in D.B. hotels between noon and 2 p.m. and from 6.0 to 7.30 p.m., but she aroused laughter from the

audience of 800 when she added that perhaps the food could be provided free, with D.B. claiming the cost as a tax deduction. The second woman’s suggestion was that D.B. reduce parking spaces for drinkers* vehicles.

Sir Henry said D.B. had reduced its car parking, and the former general manager (Mr W. S. Otto) said the company had to abide by the regulations on car parking set down by the licensing and local authorities.

Sir Henry commented on criticism that the breweries and hotels were the cause of drinker violence.

He said that a lot of drinking to excess was done in homes and at parties in places such as dance halls.

“I don’t think we had the problem with 6 p.m. closing that we have today,” he said. “It is certainly a lot of trouble to the hotels which have to have people to control it. And it is difficult to control.

“I remember being in the United States during the Prohibition era and seeing the trouble then. “Your board is very conscious of the problem. We often discuss it. We can’t find an answer. “It will persist unless people are prepared to drink in moderation.”