HOTEL LICENSES.

Evening Star, Issue 23208, 6 March 1939, Page 8

HOTEL LICENSES.

Although it is generally conceded that a New Zealand Government, no matter what its party colour may be, is unwilling to consider hotel reform to the extent of redistribution of licenses, there is a strengthening feeling throughout the Dominion that the task will have to be undertaken eventually —the sooner the better. More than thirty years have elapsed since the existing legislation in regard to licenses was framed, and during this period so many new conditions have been experienced in the national life that the laws have become practically obsolete. A reminder of the line these changes take is given through the publication of a letter sent by the Hastings League to the Southland Progress League in answer to the latter’s comprehensive appeal for support in its campaign for reform. Southland, of course, has been afflicted with licensing problems for longer than it cares to remember. A good deal of sympathy must be felt for the Progress League in its endeavours to have at least some of the province’s troubles smoothed away. At the instigation of Mr M. Mitchel, a publicspirited citizen to whom no personal benefit could accrue from a change, the league six months ago (before the last General Election) wrote t/i all the Chambers of Commerce in New Zealand, probably in much the same strain as that which characterised its communication to the Hastings League. If constancy to the cause has any effect it should be rewarded for its pains. At any rate, as Hastings points out, the league, by drawing attention to the subject, has opened the way for a discussion that might lead to the muchneeded amendments to the licensing system. The movement is at least promising.

Since distribution of Hocuses on the present pattern took place papulation

drifts have made conditions entirely different from what they were in the old gold mining days, particularly in the South Island. Here we have townships overburdened with hotels whose licensees have to shatter the 6 o'clock closing law in order to make a failliving, whereas some of the favourite tourist resorts find themselves without the means of catering for a class of visitor who, although he may not be necessarily an enthusiastic drinker, resents not being in a position to contribute a little to his bodily comfort by means of access to a bar. “In some parts of the South Island,” the Hastings letter points out with truth, “ two or three hotels serve scattered populations of little more than 50, and the coming of motor traffic has ended their usefulness as hostclries.” The development “of motor traffic is undoubtedly a factor which lends urgency to the call for reform, There is some reason for satisfaction, however, in the thought that many of the “ landmarks ” are being replaced by new buildings containing most of the modern conveniences so dear to the heart of the traveller and holidaymaker. In cases where firms have taken over premises a high standard has been set which other proprietors must feel obliged to make their goal also. In Otago” and Southland tho improvements effected in this way are most noticeable, and it is reported that the Auckland “ tied house ” system, under which the brewers and merchants buy hotels and instal managers, is working quite well so far as the itinerant public are concerned. It now remains for a Government with courage to come to gripe with the redistribution of licenses issue for tho Dominion to be carried a big step onward along the road of progress.