HOTEL MEALS

New Zealand Herald, Volume 82, Issue 25228, 14 June 1945, Page 6

HOTEL MEALS

NEEDS OF THE PUBLIC WARNING TO LICENSEES "There have been many cases of hotels telling guests that they cannot get anything to eat, I myself have experienced it, and this, committee is not going to allow it," said the chairman, Mr J. I-l. Luxford, S.M., at yesterday's sitting of the Auckland District Licens inn Committee. Mr Luxford's remarks were made after an .applicant for the renewal ol his licence had told the committee that he was completely without stall because of the attitude of the manpower authorities, and that if anyone came to him to book in ho could give them only accommodation. Cooking of meals for them would not be possible.

"But you are the innkeeper, according to the law," said Air Luxford. "Surely you yourself could cook food lor a traveller, and not turn him away hungry'? The licensee is on duty 24 hours n dav, and must provide a bonafide traveller with a meal, no matter how inconvenient the hour. If he lias no stall', he must do it himself."

The applicant indicated that ho was prepared to do this, and bis licence was accordingly renewed. "If the public will bring eases before this commit tec whenever they are refused meals in hotels, this committee will use the powers it has to discipline licensees concerned," continued the chairman. "It is in the public's own hands. If the public will take 'no' for an answer, then it is their fault if licensees continue not to fulfil their obligations.

"It may be an archaic law, but still the licensing laws are all archaic, and we have to administer them. Wo are hoping that they will soon be brought somewhat up to date and in keeping with modern requirements. In the meantime we must try to interpret archaic laws in a modern maimer."

SCHOOL FOR MOTORISTS

TRAFFIC LAWS AND DRIVING ASSOCIATION'S SUGGESTIONS A proposal that a school for the instruction of motorists on traffic regulations and driving should be established by the Automobile Association (Auckland) was considered at a meeting of the council of the association last night. The matter arose when a letter from the North Island Motor Union on the question of special Courts being set up to deal with motoring offences was eceivcd

In San Francisco, there were special Courts for such offences, said Mr H. J. Butcher. These Courts could remit punishment, provided offenders attended special traffic schools, which could also be attended voluntarily. There was a widespread ignorance of by-laws and traffic rules among motorists. said the president. Mr F. G. Farrell. Fie thought insurance companies would probably be prepared to contribute toward the cost of n school. He anticipated a big increase in the number of accidents after the war when more traffic was on the roads, and something would have to be done.

The secretary. Mr G. W. Hutchison said that the scheme was quite practi cable now.

The matter was referred to a special committee for report.

WIDOW AWARDED £2277

DEATH OF HUSBAND HIT BY AIR FORCE VAN 1.0.C.) HAMILTON, Wednesda> Liability was admitted by the defence when Mary Margaret Thomson, widow, of Gordonton (Mr Tompkins), claimed £3527 damages against the Crown (Mr Strang), before Mr Justice Fair and a jury in Hamilton. Mr Tompkins said the claim was a sequel to an accident in which the husband of the petitioner, William James Thomson, aged 58. farmer, ol Gordonton, was struck by an Air Force van. driven by Aircraftman Norman Robert Todd, on October I last. His death occurred next day. The deceased was walking along the footpath in Victoria Street when he was struck by the van as it backed into an Air Force store.

The jury awarded petitioner £2250 general and £27 18s special damages, and His Honor entered judgment accordingly.

INCREASES IN PAY

THREE FURTHER AWARDS INSURANCE WORKERS' RATES Three more industrial awards have been amended by the Arbitration Court in order to provide for increases of pa\ retrospective to April 1 under the Economic Stabilisation Emergency Regulations. In the New Zealand Insurance Workers'. Award the pay of males has been increased by 7s 6d weekly for the first three years, the salary rising to a maximum of £66 lis for the sixth six months and by 10s weekly from the fourth to the 16th years. Two years have been added to the scale and the salary for the 16th year and thereafter is £396. Salaries of female workers have been increased by amounts beginning at 5s weekly in the first year and rising to lis fid weekly in the seventh year. An eighth year at. £215 and a ninth year at i' 225 have been added to the scale. The Northern, Wellington, Canterbury and Otago and Southland Brush and Broom Trade Employees' Award has been amended by adding 3}d per hour to the male adult wage rates. .Male juniors have had their rates increased by amounts ranging from 4S to 10s weekly and females have had theirs increased bv amounts of from 4s to 7s 6d for juniors and by 10s for seniors. Piecework rates are increased all round by 10 per cent. The minimum rates for piano tuners, player-piano or organ tuners and/or repairers under the Northern District Piano Tuners and Repairers' Award have been increased from £5 to £5 IBs 4d a week. Youth assistants' rates have been advanced by from 5s to 12s 6d week I v.

In each of these three awards the wages are to he increased by the Court's two cost-of-living bonuses and meal monev lias been increased to 2s.