"UNWORKABLE" IDEAS

Evening Post, Volume CXL, Issue 63, 12 September 1945, Page 8

"UNWORKABLE" IDEAS

THE SALE OF LIQUOR

'•We do honestly feel that the sale of beer as one of the alcoholic beverages is something we can honestly advertise to the public. We don't feel that it is against the public interest to advertise a beverage if it is of good quality,'' said Mr. L. J. Stevens, chairman of directors of Dominion Breweries, Limited, at the Royal Commission on Licensing yesterday.

The chairman (Mr. Justice Smith) had asked whether the directors of such a company ever took into account the view that the public interest might be opposed to the pushing of sales of alcoholic liquor.

He did not agree with the suggestion of one witness that brewery outputs should be sold to the State, which would then pass it on to the retailers, although his directors had never considered that. He had found that most interference between producer and consumer in liquor overseas was designed to control hard liquors, not beer. Any suggestion of bringing in a controlling authority would be unworkable and to the disadvantage of the consumer.

His Honour asked whether there was any other system by which the directors of big companies would mould their policy for the benefit of the public instead of just seeking profits, such as having two directors representing ths public. That would be absolutely unworkable, said Mr. Stevens. If someone without a financial interest in the brewery were brought in, it would be a voice to the detriment of people who had put their money into the company. Directors concerned with the success of the company were more likely to run a company efficiently. The witness said he would like to see legislation prohibiting a "tie" between a brewery and a hotel in anything but draught beer.

COMPETITION OF CLUBS

In answer to further questions, the witness told his Honour he thought the consumption of alcoholic liquor for social purposes in clubs had distinct advantages. Club charters, however, should not be granted in areas adequately served by hotels. "My point is that the hotel is a club for everybody," he explained. "The club is purely restrictive." His Honour asked whether such an attitude by the licensed trade was a possible explanation why no charters had been granted for many years: that it would damage the hotels. "Charters are nothing more than a licence to sell, and as such they should not be brought indiscriminately into competition with established businesses," replied the witness. His Honour pointed out that the Commission had received many representations for the granting of charters to clubs. "They might drink under far better conditions in a club, but if a charter is granted, the hotel profits might suffer?" suggested his Honour. ! "That is the position." said Mr. | Stevens. "But the hotel is a club for I everybody."