A LIQUOR QUESTION.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXXII, Issue 15511, 11 January 1911, Page 11

A LIQUOR QUESTION.

“SOFT-DRINK” DAKS IN INVERCARGILL. [Per Press Association.] •.. INVERCARGILL, January 10. The exact, definition of the now Licensing, Act "-'legislation;' has' yet to be determined, but to-day saw the reopening of the “ soft-drink ” bar in Invercargill, . which. as recently stated, has since the opening of. the Now Year 'borne the announcement “ Owing.to the new Licensing Act being put into force, this temperance bar is now closed.” The cessation of business, it appears, was taken to avoid any risk of the promises being regarded as “ a place of.resort, ” through customers consjiming liquor from a person'aily-cfirried flask or bottle as an accompaniment id aerated. waters. The uncertainty, thus prevailing was also responsible for some social ©vents becoming “dry.” That such a stringent interpretation of the Act lias been a matter of inconvenience to a large section of the- public, and more particularly to visitors from the country, cannot be doubted, and considerable resentment u a.s freely expressed’ at what was regarded as a curtailment of the rights of the British public in being deprived of the liberty of taking a “ pick-me-up ” in private. It is now, however, considered that the casual use of a, private bottle as an accompaniment to soft drinks purchased and consumed on hotel, restaurant or other premises, is not an infringement of ' the ' Act,, and the sequel’ to-day was that the old order of things was restored at the establishment referred to in Invercargill, wilh the except,inn, of course, that the storage of liquor in lockers or' in any form is prohibited. Inspector Mitchell, on being .spoken to to-day by a reporter, expressed the opinion that the practice alludorl to did not concern the police. The now development, is also interesting by reason of the fact that, it is now thought that alcoholic refreshment may be dispensed at public dinners anil gatherings, their provision for immediate consumption being no longer regarded as coming- under the definition of “storage,” and the place of entertainment not being interpreted as constituting a “ resort.’’ At Goye, where, on and fi-oni December 31 the sale of cordials lor consumption, with liquor had been suspended at the hotels and restaurants, stops similar to those n.t, Invercargill are being taken for the recommencement of business, and “ sol t drinks”. will once more he obtainable without restriction.