HOTEL BARS.

Waipawa Mail, Volume XXXVII, Issue 7913, 2 August 1917, Page 1

HOTEL BARS.

EFFICIENCY BOARD’S REPORT. POLL RECOMMENDED. (Per Press Association). WELLINGTON, Last night. Sir James Allen laid on the table of the House the report of the Efficiency Board on the liquor trade. The Board reported that they recognised the liquor trade was a people’s question. They therefore recommended that a poll be taken immediately on the issue of complete national prohibition, but in view of the interests involved, in the event of prohibition being carried compensation should be paid. If this proposal be not entertained, then restrictions should be placed on the trade equivalent to the provisions of the Shops and Offices Act.

Mr L. M. Isitt said the point about this report was that a board of business men had come to the same conclusion regarding the liquor trade to which the so-called “wowsers” had come, which went to prove that the wowsers were not so far wrong. Personally he opposed the idea of compensation, but he was not sure he would not agree to it if by so doing they would get rid of the business for ever.

Mr A. S. Malcolm said the Board had rightly defined the position when they said the liquor trade was a people’s question. The people did not forget they had given the trade a great concession when they agreed to forego the triennial poll on the liquor question. They naturally expected some consideration for that concession. SUMMARY. The Board believes the people of New Zealand would approve of the opportunity being afforded them to vote upon the question. The Board adds that whatever may be done with regard to prohibition, it earnestly recommends as essential to national efficiency that legislation shall be passed without delay to provide for the enforcement of the following conditions:— That the sale of liquor be not permitted before 8 a.m. or after 6 p.m. on four days in the week, 9 p.m. on one day, and 1 p.m. on the statutory half-holiday. That the sale of alcoholic liquor be not permitted on Sundays or on certain holidays. The Board suggests

provision to permit the serving of liquor to boarders in the regular meal rooms of hotels. Another recommendation is that the standard strength of brandy, whisky, rum and gin shall be redueed to not more than fifty degrees under proof. Certain amendments designed to increase the stringency of the licensing laws are suggested, including the abolition of all packet and conditional licenses. In conclusion the Board places on record that whilst at first it looked into this matter from the point of view of war conditions, yet as the inquiry proceeded it became apparent that in the interests of national efficiency the Board had to consider the liquor question also from the point of view of the efficiency of the State and of the ipdividual, both during the war and afterwards. It has therefore drafted its recommendations so as to promote permanent national efficiency.