THE LIQUOR TRADE.

Timaru Herald, Volume XIIC, Issue 13807, 19 January 1909, Page 6

THE LIQUOR TRADE.

REV. MR THOMSON'S VIEWS. Per Press .Association. DUNEDIN, Jan. 18. In the course of .an interview to-day the Rev. W. Thomson, agent for the Licensed Victuallers' Association, expressed the opinion that the reforms proposed by the trade in Auckland are very good so far as they go. He had held for several years "that- provided present barmaids were justly dealt with, say, allowed ifour or five years, the work could be much better done by men, and after that time he would employ no barmaids. He thought the ag.j ac whicii youths could be served with liquor in hotels should be raised to 21 years and remarked that the Otago Association asked for that when the 1904 Act was passed. The fault of youthful drunkenness lay largely with liome life. He thought the proposal that no woman should be served witli drink for consumption in hotels unless sue was a lodger, much too. arbitrary and severe. On the whole he agreed witli Auckland and suggested that the trade must go further. He thought 110 license should certainly mean no liquor. The law.should be amended, adding option in favour of either the State or municipal control. He preferred municipal control giving-reasonable compensation by arbitration. He strongly opposed the exorbitant rents which some liotelkeepers had to pay, and for years had suggested a fair rent bill for hotels.