DISTRIBUTION OF HOTEL LICENCES

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23631, 15 October 1938, Page 12

DISTRIBUTION OF HOTEL LICENCES

The case for the redistribution of hotel licences in New Zealand, which was ably stated recently at the annual meeting of the Otago Expansion League, possesses obvious merit. Unfortunately, however, the subject of licensed hotels is one upon which even Governments that would not hesitate to license industry generally, by compulsion, are singularly disinclined to touch. The result is that, as the figures put forward by a speaker on Tuesday night illustrated, the growth of some communities and the diminution of population in others have created the most absurd anomalies. Certain towns possess a number of hotels altogether in excess of the requirements of their populations, and this is plainly undesirable, since the custom is so distributed as to maintain many mediocre hotels, a proportion of them merely drink-shops, instead of maintaining a few that offer amenities to the traveller. Other towns have insufficient hotels,, with the consequent diversion of the revenues into a few pockets, and this again may discourage enterprise in providing for the public: comfort. But, the circumstances of the inequitable distribution of licences among towns and townships altogether apart, there is a very strong argument for the modification of the law as it applies to the licensing of hotels. The tourist trade is already a considerable industry in New Zealand. It is hoped and anticipated that it will increase, and the State spends large appropriations with the aim of attracting visitors to these shores. But tourists expect better accommodation at chosen resorts than is usually available. Experience in New Zealand has shown that this can be provided where licensed houses exist, which have a source of revenue additional to that provided by the seasonal tourist demand for hospitality. Tourists also, though a somewhat vocal, minority in the community may deplore the fact, resent an arbitrary law which prevents them from obtaining such liquid refreshment as they may desire at many places of accommodation erected and maintained for their entertainment. The annoyance of visitors from other countries at the compulsory prohibition which is encountered even in licensed districts in the Dominion is something that the New Zealander,, habituated to the association of liquor with petty restrictions, may realise only with difficulty. It is not suggested that the number of hotel licences in the Dominion should be increased. The contention is merely that the existing licences should be made transferable from districts in which they are superfluous to resorts at which they are required. It is a demand so logical that it does not deserve a timid reception from the legislature of a country which, throughout its history, has expressed itself in favour of the licensing system, and therefore, by inference, is desirous of considering the public convenience and interest in the distribution of the licensed houses.