TOURIST TRAFFIC AND HOTELS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19269, 5 September 1924, Page 6

TOURIST TRAFFIC AND HOTELS.

WELLINGTON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE. A MOTION WITHDRAWN. (Fbom Otjb Own Cohhbspokdent.j . WELLINGTON, September A Recently the Wellington. Chamber of Commerce adopted a number of recommendations in regard to tourist.traffic, and among them wag one relating to hotel accommodation. Portion of this read as follows: —“The question of increased accommodation is, from inquiries made, shown to be inseparable from the license question, and the tenure of licensees to sell liquors.” At yesterday’s meeting of the chamber objection was taken to the wording of the report, and it was decided to delete the whole paragraph dealing with hotel accommodation. The matter was introduced by Mr J. T. Martin, who said it had been stated to him that it appeared as if the chamber were adopting a party spirit in regard to the liquor question. He, for one, did not believe that members of the chamber wished to convey that impression. He thought they should disclaim any intention on the ’ part of the chamber to support the liquor interests in such a way. They knew that in America and other countries the accommodation was all that could be desired. Whether they bad licenses or net he thought that the committee's recommendation should be withdrawn as it would be very unfortunate if it went forth that the chamber was supporting the liquor trade in any way. He moved that the recommendation be withdrawn. Mr A. L. Hunt seconded the motion, and, in doing so, ho said that if the recommendations were 'allowed to go through it would do the chamber a lot of harm. He had never heard a prohibition argument round the table of the Chamber of Commerce, and he had been associated with the chamber for 20 years. They did not want palatial hotels all over the country, but they did want better service in the hotels. He thought the chamber would be wise in altering the report and openly acknowledging a mistake. The Chairman (Mr H. D. Bennett) said the position was that the chamber in fio way intended to convey the impression that they were supporting the liquor interests. It was to be regretted that that interpretation had been placed on the resolution thathad been adopted. Personally, he thought that the resolution was perfectly clear. ' The motion was carried, the chairman remarking that it should bo made perfectly plain that the chamber was not backing down in any way.