LICENSING LAWS

Manawatu Standard, Volume LXV, Issue 83, 7 March 1945, Page 4

LICENSING LAWS

POINTS FOR COMMISSION COMMENT ON SYSTEM (Press Assn.) WELLINGTON, Mar 6. V Continuing his opening address before the Roval Commission on Licensing Mr J. D. Willis, who is appearing for the Crown and as counsel assisting the Commission, after dealing with complaints that had been made, said the situation would largely be met it brewers were not allowed to ha\e a financial interest in licensed houses, t the conveyancing device were prohibited, and if better provision were made for the disqualification of hotel premises thci. ■ os. One of the most outstanding m.. - inquiring reform, and one which w.mc was reason to beueve was causing great dissatisfaction to all parties, including the public, was the distribution of licenses. The proportion of licensed houses to the population was steadily declining. In 1906 it was one to 583 of the population in 1910 one to 911, in 1937 one to 1360, and in 1945 one to approximately 1500. Additional licenses were probably un ; necessary in New Zealand if the 10S» already in existence were redistributed on the same national basis. The present system seemed to be based on the idea that the population remained more or less static. There was no provision to remove a license from one district to another.

CONTROL OF HOUSES. Commenting upon the system ol “tied houses”, Mr Willis said that certain licensees had been forced for financial reasons to purchase supplies from certain breweries only and the possibility was that the public’s choice ol refreshments had been restricted. Tlie matter was certainly one lor the Commission. Not only should the letter of the law be observed, but also the spirit. That question led to consideration of another: Should breweries be permitted to obtain the freehold or leasehold of hotels? As far as eoukl be ascertained there were 1095 hotels in the Dominion. During the past eight or nine years the three principal brewing companies operating had been systematically acquiring leasehold and freehold properties. “There is no doubting the fact that the brewers own a considerable number of hotels,” said Mr Willis. “Just how many they own is difficult to ascertain, but the information is available in the trade and 1 hope it will be made known to the Commission.” This policy had been further implemented, Mr Willis added, by brewers putting, their own licensee-managers into their hotels so that they obtained both the wholesale and retail profits. “That is another aspect of the trade which should receive the attention of the Commission,” he said. Such a practice was, it was submitted, at least a breach of the spirit of the statute. 'J he manager had to do as he was told as he was not in effect the licensee. It was common knowledge that many of them before they took over businesses had to sign licensee transfers in blank “so that in the event of any trouble developing later,” added counsel, “there would be no difficulty concerning the transfer of the license.” It was also submitted that when managers committed breaches of the law the suggestion was, in certain cases, that it had been done at the direction of the brewer-owners in order to push their wares. Further, a man who had incurred the displeasure of the Courts could be put out of the business and be replaced by another manager. That difficulty could be overcome by making the disqualification -apply to the house itself and. not only to the man in charge. “There would then be a more strict observance of the licensing laws and the evil to which I have referred would probably vanish,” said Mr Willis. Mr Willis dealt with the anomalies and injustices which had arisen as the result of changes in the electoral boundaries. If no-license districts were abolished and a uniform system were in vogue throughout the country such difficulties could not occur, he said. PRODUCTION OF WINE.

New Zealand’s wine industry, which was capable of producing light unfortified beverage wines equal to any in the world, was in need of encouragement, said Mr Willis. Every possible endeavour should be made to increase the demand for such natural wholesome wines with, their low alcoholic content of approximately 16 per cent, proof spirit. Such wines did not appeal to the confirmed drinker or induce a liking for alcohol. 1 They were essentially mealtime beverages and it was thought that they should be readily available. At present New Zealand was producing practically no such dry light wines and the buyer had virtually no option but to take a fortified sweet wine of up to 40 per cent, proof spirit. A recommendation would be made with the purpose of placing the wine industry on a ■proper basis and weeding out inefficient and dishonest wine-makers.

Discussing licensing committees, Mr Willis said elections for membership were now rare. The public did not show much interest and many electors failed to vote. One reason was probably that the powers of the committees had been considerably curtailed so that they now had very little to do. “In my submission,” said Air Willis, “licensing committees are not really necessary. If their powers are to continue as at present their work could equally well be performed by a Magistrate sitting alone. “The whole licensing code relating to Maoris needs to be recast and the matter is becoming of increasing importance and urgency. Some of the present legislation is obsolete. None of it goes far enough, and the penalties are inadequate.” Air AYillis had not finished his address at the adjournment.