LIQUOR CONTROL PROBLEM

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 80, 25 May 1945, Page 2

LIQUOR CONTROL PROBLEM

VIEWS OF PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

Auckland, May 24. The attitude of the Presbyterian Church of New Zealand to the problem of liquor control was stated by James Douglas Smith, a minister of that Church and convener of the temperance committee of the Church, before the Royal Commission on Licensing this morning. Witness said the general assembly of the Presbyterian Church realised that, while holding to the abolition of the liquor traffic as a long-term policy, national prohibition was not practical politics at present. With a view to reform, the assembly sought to devise means to bring about the elimination of private profit and ineentive to profit in the liquor business. It also sought the return to local option for the whole Dominion and considered that where there were more than two issues on the ballot paper it be designed to provide for a preferential vote. Th e assembly advocated an active temperance education programme and Urged that better law enforcement be constantly pressed for from the Government. In general, the case presented by the New Zealand Alliance was supported by the Presbyterian Church, continued witness. The Church agreed with the proposal to set up a central licensing authority. “We do not only object to the Minister of Customs being empowered to issue a license to distil spirit beverages but strongly object to any distillation industry for such purposes being set up in New Zealand,” said witness. HOURS OF SALE Witness advocated further restrictions on liquor advertising. He said the Church was definitely opposed to an extension of hours beyond 6 p.m. Regarding the proposed improvements in drinking customs, witness said that the Presbyterian Church ap- ! proved as an experiment the provision of seats and tables in bars jmd i the supply of food with drink, though jit was not happy at the thought of children and minors being introduced to drinking customs, as at the Brown Owl at Invercargill, and very strict supervision would be necessary. “We would regard it as an exceedingly retrograde step should additional licenses be issued to tea and refreshment rooms,” witness stated.

Strict control by a central licensing authority over all transactions involving the transfer of licenses was advocated. “A very gross evil has arisen through excessive valuations being placed on hotel premises,” said-wit-ness.