BARBARIC NOISE

New Zealand Herald, Volume 82, Issue 25181, 19 April 1945, Page 6

BARBARIC NOISE

EARLY TEA IN HOTELS THE BAR BEFORE GUESTS (P.A.) WELLINGTON, Wednesday Evidence was given before the Licensing Commission today by Mr J. W. Collins, formerly New Zealand Trade Commissioner in Canada. When the witness began quoting the Canadian Year Book, the chairman, Mr Justice Smith, said an exhaustive review of Canadian licensing legislation was being prepared for the commission by Canada's Attorney-General. Witness said that in his official, capacity he had received the following complaints about New Zealand hotels' in pre-war years: (1) Uncomfortable beds; (2) restricted meal hours, especially the early dinner hour; (3) lack of good coffee and ice water; (4) the lack of seasonal fresh fruit at meals and scarcity of citrus fruits; (5) the absence of central heating; (6) the general use of roller towels by all guests (small individual cotton or paper towels were universally used and provided abroad); (7) the absence of window and door screens to keep out flios and mosquitoes. Travellers had reported that proprietors in New Zealand ran hotels to suit the bar and did not study the comfort and convenience of guests, said t witness. He added that the practice of early morning tea at seven o'clock and the clatter of cups and saucers at that ;early hour was regarded as barbaric. •The fact that no food was served in hotels after 7.30 p.m. also came as a great shock. The point was also made that meals not taken were charged for. He said it was a sore point that so few New Zealand hotels had adopted the universal European plan of booking rooms only and charging for meals actually taken. ' HYGIENE IN HOTELS EXTENSION OF HOURS LABOUR FEDERATION VIEWS (P A.) WELLINGTON, Wednesday Suggestions by the New Zealand Federation of Labour for the improvement of the licensed liquor trade from the point of view of the working man were conveyed to the Royal Commission on Licensing today by the secretary of the federation, Mr K. Baxter. The federation was concerned with the health and welfare of 20,000 workers, including unionists in the forces, he said. Its_ national executive had been asked by" the unions. 300 of which were affiliated to the federation, and by some of its constituent trades councils to make submissions. Many workers had little opportunity for social intercourse among themselves during the week except between 5 p.m. and 6 p.m. to partake of beer. For that reason and in the interests of improved health, conduct and welfare recommendations were made which would act to the advantage of both drinkers and non-drinkers.

The federation suggested:—The compulsory uso of hot water for Cleaning drinking utensils, bars arid floors; sterilisation of glasses, which it was understood was already practised in milk bars by means of ultra violet light; that'for future construction of hotels regulations be introduced making provision for an improvement in natural lighting and ventilation in bars und lounges; more rigid regulations in respect to lavatories and provision for cleanliness; the use of standardised "glasses and handles at standardised prices. Regulations were suggested for the installation in bars of tables and seating accommodation with the object of permitting the consumption of liquor under more congenial and relaxed conditions, and as an alternative to vertical drinking. That was considered a necessary reform, which would make for a more social atmosphere with more disciplined drinking. The federation had been prompted from all quarters with suggestions for changes i t hours. It felt that two of the hours before 5 p.m. should be transferred to some portion of the evening, which would allow more leisured drinking. The federation contended that the liquor industry could never be run efficiently and satisfactorily until under State ownership. * VICTORY CELEBRATION CITY ARRANGEMENTS Plans for the service at the apex of the Auckland Town Hall on V Day were discussed at a meeting convened by the Mayor, Mr J. A. C, Allum, at the Town Hall yesterday. Representatives of the armed forces and other interested bodies were present, Mr Allum said it was quite impracticable at this stage to give any indication as to when the ceremony would take place. Assuming, however, that the announcement would be made to take effect some time during the day as for the Northern Hemisphere, it would mean that the service would have to take place in Auckland on the following morning. It was agreed that the most suitable time in those circumstances would be at 9.30 a.m., when a service of approximately 15 minutes will be held. The 'proclamation will be read by Mr Allum, and the Rev. W. R. Milne, of Ponsonby. will offer a short prayer. Music is to be provided by the Papakura Camp Band, and a choir from the Auckland Choral Society. For the benefit of people in the vicinity of the Town Hall, loudspeakers will relay the service, which will also be broadcast. Official visitors will be acommodated on a platform on the apex. All traffic, including trams, will bo stopped in Queen Street, Wellesley Street probably being used as an alternative route for trams, This cessation of traffic in Queen Street will be for as long as the traffic authorities consider necessary.

If the news reaches New Zealand during the night, the announcement of the service at the Town Hall will be broadcast over the air frequently until the actual service. The ceremony is to take place wet or fine.