TOURIST RESORTS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21926, 9 October 1934, Page 11

TOURIST RESORTS

LICENCES FOR LIQUOR "LIBERTIES RESTRICTED" MORE FACILITIES SUGGESTED A plea for greater facilities for the obtaining of refreshments at tourist resorts was made by the Hon. V. A. Ward in the Legislative Council the other day. Mr. Ward said that New Zealand was not a prohibition country, but at several of the tourist resorts it was not possible to obtain a glass of beer or wine. It was essential that a tourist should leave the country feeling that he had enjoyed his stay in the Dominion, i but at the present time he \vas liable to be annoyed because his liberties or I social habits were restricted, and beI cause he was being treated differently from what lie had been used to in his own country and also differently from New Zealanders themselves. If a tourist visiting Waikaremoana wished to have a glass of beer or wine, said Mr. Ward, he had to travel 40 miles in one direction or 105 in another to gratify his wants. If he was at the Waitomo Caves he would have to go 26 miles in one direction and 101 miles in another if he wanted anything stronger than water or tea. From the Chateau Tongariro the nearest licensed houses were 42 miles away. If a tourist, after walking to Milford Sound, asked for a whisky and soda or a glass of ale, he would be told that he would have to walk 35 miles and then take a launch for another 42 miles before obtaining his drink. The same experience applied to other tourist resorts such as Lake Manapouri, Tekapo, Marlborough Sounds, and Mount Egmont. "I suggest that the Government should consider the question of providing facilities whereby tourists may be permitted to enjoy the amenities of life thati a great number of them are used to and receive in tourist resorts in other parts of the world," said Mr. Ward. "I suggest, therefore, that special licences to sell liquor should be made available to resorts frequented by tourists. "From the commercial aspect it would help the hostels financially and enable them to provide better facilities and service to visitors. We should do all we can in New Zealand to encourage and foster our tourist traffic. Our tourist resorts are a valuable asset, and in addition the intermingling of peoples creates a better understanding of the problems facing the various countries of the world.""