LICENSING LAWS

New Zealand Herald, Volume 82, Issue 25299, 5 September 1945, Page 9

LICENSING LAWS

SUGGESTED REFORMS A MAGISTRATE'S VIEWB (P.A.) WELLINGTON, Tuesday The senior magistrate in Auckland,' Mr J. H. Luxford, submitted a long statement to the Royal Commission on" Licensing today, covering all aspects of the liquor question and the licensing laws, He said that temperance would never be advanced by pressing for prohibition, or unreasonable or unnecessary restrictions. These made matters worse than 110 restriction. New Zealanders were the best behaved people in the world, but by reason of the well meant and sincere beliefs of a comparatively small section of the community had been made to feel that they would not he safe without the protection of restrictions and prohibitions which no other people in the world had to put up with. Thus, a liquor complex had been built up and a problem created. In his opinion, alcohol had been wrongly blamed for a great deal of domestic unhappiness and crime, said Mr Luxford. He thought the greatest danger from liquor was surreptitious drinking by young people, especially when the sexes were together. Drink was not permitted to be taken to dance halls, but it was commonly parked for after the dances. Respectably and sensibly controlled' alcoholic refreshment at a dance helped the d ance along. The claret cup had been permitted for many generations—even during the stern Victorian era — hut that had now been added to the list of "Thou shalt not's." Sales on Premises Mr Li ixford strongly advocated the granting of licences for the sale of ale and New Zealand wines at restaurants, dance halls and similar places of amusement. The most important reform was to extend facilities, both in times and places, for the retail sale of liquor, other than spirits, for consumption by the glass on premises and heavy penalties on licensees who permitted drunkenness or disorderly behaviour on their premises and on persons guilty of such behaviour. Regarding the quality of heer, Mr Luxford said it should he the aim of every brewer to keep his product at a minimum strength and he should be encouraged to do so by a sliding scale of beer duty, rising so steeply for beer in excess of the minimum strength that it would be reflected in the retail price. Assuming that the Government decided that the Licensing Act was to he amended or recast in order to make proper provision for the public need, it: was clear that an effective administration must he set up said Mr Luxford. First, there must be a tribunal to determine the number of licensed houses required for New Zealand and likely to be required for the next decade. Provision tor Inspections Apart from the general powers of granting licences of all kinds, and renewals, transfers, and removals, a district licensing authority should have power to appoint inspectors of licensed premises. It should also have power to set up in metropolitan areas an accommodation registry office where a record would be kept of the accommodation booked in licensed houses, and where information would he available to all travellers or members of the public requiring accommodation. Remarking that the present method of inspection of licensed premises was rudimentary, Mr Luxford said that with the appointment of the proposed district licensing authority, the inspection would pass to the authority and its officers, and the Police Department's responsibilities should be limited to the suppression and detection of breaches of the liquor laws, and supplying such reports on the character and conduct of licensees and proposed licensees, and on other matters as the district licensing authority might require. SERVICES' OPERETTA "I OLANTH E" SEASON OPENS An all-round improvement over their previous production, "H.M.S. Pinafore," was displayed by the Combined Services Operatic Club when they opened their season of "lolanthe" in the Seddon Memorial Technical College Hall last night. The_ principals appeared 'to be more at ease in dealing with Gilbert's satire, and the work of the chorus was more uniform, maintaining a consistently high standard throughout. "lolanthe" was a happy choice, for it is ten years since it was last seen on an Auckland stage. Considering that the principals were all drawn from the ranks of men and women serving in the forces, the standard of the singing was remarkably high. Ramon Opie and Gil Cornwall as the Earls Tolloller and Mountararat respectively gave performances that would not have disgraced a professional stage, while Valerie Isbister made a charming Phyllis. Opposite her, Alfred Whitworth sang very creditably as Strephon, although his performance lacked some of the vitality usually associated with the role. Valerie Henley, as lolanthe, and Florence Hickson, as the fairy queen, both deserved the large measure of applause accorded them by an audience which fully appreciated the considerable vocal difficulties of their roles. As the Lord Chancellor, Richard St#enson gave a performance that dramatically was in true Savoyard tradition, hut unfortunately many of his best lines were lost through poor diction. The orchestra of 20 was conducted by Mr J. A. Blitz, and the production was directed bv Lieutenant J. C. Keid. "lolanthe," which is sponsored by the Army Education and Welfare Service, will bo staged nightly until Saturday. TABLE TENNIS TOURNEY Inter-club Final. —The Auckland inter-club A (?ratio championship was won by City, which defeated the 1045 champion team, University, by 28 points to 8. J. Brier) (City) scored 8 (the possible) and produced the form that has made him the outstanding Auckland player in club (carries. Brien and Fotfart.v, who last week won the Auckland A grade doublets championship, again gave a brilliant display, when tbe.v lowered the colours of the University champions, .Taine and Tills, 2—o. The winning scores were:—City: J. Brien, 8; W. Fogarty, <i: T. Morrison, , r >; N llnrrop, 5; Brien and Fotfarty. 2; Morrison and Harrop, 2 doubles. University: 0. J nine 5; A. Tills, 2; A. Lowe, I; S. Hunt, 0.