Alliance wants bars closed for meal break

Press, 3 October 1979, Page 7

Alliance wants bars closed for meal break

PA Wellington Tne Temperance Alliance thinks that the Sale of Liquor Amendment Bill, which gives licensees the right to refuse service t<J troublemakers in public bars, does not go far enough. The president of the Alliance (Mr Tom Quayle) renewed the Alliance’s plea of eight months ago for the closing of hotel and tavern bars from 6 p.m. to 7.15 p.m. Mondays to Saturdays to enable patrons to have a proper meal, preferably at home with their wives and children. He said the proposal had the personal support of eight mayors, Sir DoveMyer Robinson, of Auckland, Mr H. G. Hay, of Christchurch, Mr C. G. Skeggs, of Dunedin, Mr F. R. Miller, of Invercargill, Mr J. Kennedy-Good, of Lower Hutt, Mr E. M. Elliott, of Whangarei, Mr J. F. Cody, of Masterton,

and Mr L. B. Roberts, of Levin. Before putting the proposal th the Minister of Justice (Mr M. McLay) the Alliance had sought the views of 23 civic representatives. The Mayor of Rotorua had said that a break from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. would be more practical. Mr Quayle said that in the last three years hotel and tavern violence had increased and was often more serious. The proposed evening closing would put a brake on excessive drinking, the results of which were a daily occurrence in many parts of New Zealand. It would also give practical support for the aims of the International Year of the Child. The idea was not supported by the Police Association or the Hotel Workers’ Union. But he urged all members of Parliament. and concerned citizens to give the proposal careful consideration.