Call for stiffer penalties to combat hotel violence

Press, 25 September 1982, Page 5

Call for stiffer penalties to combat hotel violence

PA Hastings The Hotel Association will j seek from the Ministers of Police and Justice stronger and "more realistic" penalties for violence in hotels. 1 Delegates at the association’s conference in Hastings said that they were concerned about the amount of violence in hotels and the "frequently inadequate penalties" imposed by courts for offences involving violence. H.A.N.Z. wants stronger and more realistic penalties. The chief executive of the association. Mr Tom Sheehy, said that H.A.N.Z. would also approach the Police Association for support. Other remits passed called for the lowering of the legal drinking age and for longer or more optional hours of opening. The association backed a call from the Canterbury branch to lower the age limit, and also make identification cards a requirement for entry. Mr Sheehy said that minors were the cause of existing inequality. They had easy access to liquor in clubs and cabarets and the association felt it better to control the drinking under supervision. Mr Sheehy said that the association would again make representations to the Government to have the age limit for entry to hotels

lowered to 18 years. Legislation will also be sought to enable licensees to open bars optionally until midnight. The association argued that hotels should be given the same right as clubs to tailor their hours so they could close when there was no demand. Delegates heard how South Island bars suf-

fered during the long days in summer when farmers could work on Until 10 p.m„ and then find bars closed. The conference had also endorsed the suggested abolition of liquor price advertising. but. in conjunction with the breweries, wants to promote draught beer, in particular to the on-premises market.