LICENSING TRUST

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25673, 23 October 1944, Page 4

LICENSING TRUST

OPERATIONS IN- INVERCARGILL PRIME MINISTER IMPRESSED (P.A.) INVERCARQILL, Oct. 22. An inspection of the Invercargill Licensing Trust’s temporary premises was made yesterday morning by the Prime Minister, Mr P. Fraser, who was anxious to see at first-hand the experiment in operation. , 'ln a statement after his tour oi inspection Mr Fraser said he had fortned the opinion that the trust had made a good start. ' “ I was very much impressed by what I saw,” he said. “ The trust has made conditions as good as possible in the circumstances, and I hope that before long the building projects planned Will be proceeded with. I inspected the plans, and if they are carried out • in their entirety Invercargill will have some of the finest hotel accommodation in New Zealand. There will be nothing better anywhere, and the responsibility of the trust will be to arrange and manage the distribution of alcoholic liquor with the least possible evil repercussions; in other words, to combine a moderate use of alcoholic drink, and consequent sobriety, with friendly amenities and social intercourse.” Mr Fraser added that the manner in which the trust was discharging its responsibilities gave him confidence that not only would its activities prove completely successful and beneficial to Invercargill and Southland, but they would also prove an example to the whole of the Dominion.