THE RETAILERS

New Zealand Times, Volume LII, Issue 12211, 8 August 1925, Page 7

THE RETAILERS

DEMORALISING UNCERTAINTY ; Mr P. Coyle (president New Zealand Licensed Victuallers’ Association), said: •—As representing the retail section of the licensed trade, we are pleased to, join in this deputation which hen for its object the securing of early legislation to put the licensinglawß on a more satisfactory footing. When the proposals that have now been placed before you were adopted by the conferences of the, different bodies that now form the New Zealand Licensing Reform Association, they were subjected to a very searching examination. W®, as practical men engaged in the business, look upon them as practical reforms, and while in some ways they may impose upon us increased restrictions, we recognise that it is m our own interest, as well as that, of the people generally, that the licensing laws should he revised in such manner iis will'satisfy the publio upon whose goodwill the continuanoe of our business depends. May I say that we are particularly desirous of getting some better security of tenure. The Parliamentary Licensing CoiiUnittee made .a recommendation on this' matter after an exhaustive examination of the whole question. They recommended that the term between lioensing. polls should be extended to

nine years, and we trust that the Government in bringing down a Bill will, without fail; include that proposal. It goes without saying that the present uncertainty as to the future must have a demoralising effect upon those engaged in the business. It has hampered the improvement of premises, and the provision of accommodation, and in this respect has had a .far-reaching effect upon the whole Dominion. The ?uestion of accommodation for tourists rom overseas and for our own travelling public has been prominently before the public in recent years. During the last few days the Chamber of Commerce invited us to send representatives to discuss this question with them. Our trade is anxious to do all in its power to raise the standard of accommodation throughout the country, but with the present uncertainty of tenure nothing can he done, nor do we think that it should be expected of us to take the tremendous risk involved in the necessary capital outlay under existing circumstances. We recognise that a Incensing Bill is a very contentious subject, and that, our opponents, ■ whom we know 1 to be opposed to\ reform, will endeavour to include features in the legislation unfavourable to us as a trade; but we are prepared to face that danger, and to rely upon the wisdom of the members of the House to pass into law a measure that will be reasonable to us, and in the best internets of the people as a whole, i