Chagrin in Sydney Clubs Over Six-o'clock Closing

Evening Star, Issue 26154, 16 July 1947, Page 5

Chagrin in Sydney Clubs Over Six-o'clock Closing

(From C. R. Mentiplay, N.Z.P.A. Special Correspondent!). (Rec. 10 a.m.) ' ' SYDNEY, July 16: Rejoining among many citizens over the granting of liquor licenses to many private clubs in New South Wales ha® suddenly turned to, yells of rage and threat* ! of court action. When it was announced that licenses would' be issued, clubs catering for ex-servicemen, golfers, and other sportsmen, joined the joyful queue. . To members the news offered the pleasant prospect of. , civilised drinking, and the legalising of a practice long-, condoned in even the most superior clubs.

For many years a number of sucli 'organisations liaye kept supplies of liquor on the premises to bo consumed in moderation by bona fide members, but such a system lias obvious limitations. There, was great jubilation when early this montlL tlie first batch of 72 clubs received their authority to have liquor on the premises. Their triumph was short-lived. Alihost immediately the police; broadened the front of their assault on hotels and restaurants to take in licensed private clubs.' ; ' . < The Commissioner of Police '" was adamant on the subject. He pointed out that the recent referendum had resulted in a verdict for 6 o'clock_closing. The police interpreted this as applying to all licensed premises. The only, variation .of the law would be in the case of liquor with meals, which would be permitted up. to,-9 p.m. The fact that the Commissioner himself criticised the law and said that it should be amended offered little solace. Clubmen now realise that their licenses serve no purpose but to draw the attention of the police to the fact that there is liquor on the premises and so increase the frequency of police inspections.

Last Saturday night the secretaries of social and sporting clubs reported the smallest attendances for years because of. the rumour of large-scale police raids. The bars closed promptly ■ and the usual. festive week-end spirit was absent. .••• To protests, the Prime Minister, Mr McGirr, makes the firm answer: “ The voice of the people is the- highest authority, in this country, and the people have' spoken. The .referendum decision applies to clubs as well a? to hotels ■' He has made it clear to his colleagues that lie nqt regard the. .trading;' hours as an anomaly, but as a referedum decision not subject to review. This view is by no mean? shared' by all Labour members of the State Parliament. Mr W, M. Currey and MrM. Davidson are the only two who • liaye declared in favour of a review. Several golf clubs and branches, of ex-servicemen’s organisations have declared their- intention r of challenging the'legality of the ruling. The Hotel,,Club, and Restaurant Employees’ Union ,has added . its voice to the pleas to the' Min- 1 ister of Justice, Mr Downing. * But in newlv.-licqnsed * clubs ‘ the bars close at P p.m„ and members shudder over their soft drinks and pine ton- their aneient liberty,