The Licensed Victuallers

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume X, Issue 521, 19 July 1900, Page 18

The Licensed Victuallers

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THE POLICE COMMISSIONER’S REPORT.

The report laid before the House last week by Commissioner Tunbridge, gives much food for

reflection to the Trade generally, and especially so to the Trade in Auckland. I say especially Auckland, because we not only show an increase of 448, but we now have the unenviable notoriety of heading the list of charges of drunkenness in the colony for the year 1899, while it remains for Dunedin to head the list for the number of arrests for drunkenness on Sunday. The Commissioner has given his opinion that the increase in Auckland is largely due to the increased efforts of the police under Inspector Cullen to more expeditiously remove drunken persons-from the streets than was formerly the case. We must thank Mr Tunbridge for this side light that he has thrown on the question, as it can be readily understood that if the police are extra zealous in removing drunken, or apparently drunken persons, to the police stations, then we must look for an increase in the number of charges made. This, of course, raises the old question as to what stage of incapability must a person be in, to be considered incapable enough to be taken in charge. As the Commissioner states the Auckland police are using increased efforts, it is just possible that many who are perchance not actually incapable, may become victims of the extra zeal displayed in this particular direction. There is no apparent cause in the way of increased prosperity in Auckland, or any other reason, that can satisfactorily account for the increase in figures, Unless the great enthusiasm displayed in the sending of our heroes to South Africa during the latter end of last year, may have added somewhat to the total. It is a matter of much regret that Mr Tunbridge also opines that the 11 o’clock licenses which were in force during the whole of 1899, are to some extent, accountable for a share in the increase, this is. rather an indigestable opinion, when compared with the statement made a few days ago in our Magistrate’s Court by the police, to the effect, that owing to the hour of closing having been set back to 10 o’clock, there was an increase in the number of cases of drunkenness at night. The Commissioner also ascribes a proportion of the increase to the prosperous condition of the colony, and the large increase in foreign going shipping at the various ports. Figures quoted show that the law against Sunday trading in the colony is by no means strictly observed, notwithstanding the efforts of the police ; Mf Tunbridge goes on to say in this respect, that those who incite the publican to break the law run no risk at

present’ whereas, the consequences to the publican, if caught, are most serious. This is manifestly unfair to the latter, and the licensing laws should be amended in the direction of something approximating to section 25 of the Intoxicating Liquors Act. 1872, in force in England being included. This section, it may be remarked, penalises the buyer and the seller. Why the Commissioner should come to the conclusion that cases of drunkenness on Sunday are traceable to hotelkeepers is somewhat difficult to understand. Surely there must be other means of supply on Sunday than hotels. Auckland hotelkeepers, to a man, stoutly deny that Sunday trading is carried on by any of them. The police should use further increased efforts to endeavor to trace the sources from whence Sunday drunkards obtain their liquor. If, as is very strongly suspected, that the law of strict Sunday closing observed by all hotelkeepers, has created increased activity on the part of the sly grog selling fraternity, then in the interests of the law abiding hotelkeepers, the stigma of breaking the Act on Sunday should be removed from them, and the real offenders severely punished. The few charges of Sunday trading that have been preferred against local publicans, have been clearly the result of a mistaken estimation of the distances that customers lived from the hotels. The charges have been invariably dismissed, and in no one instance has it been shown that deliberate Sunday trading was being carried on. It is pleasing to note that Commissioner Tunbridge is an advocate for the better treatment of those suffering from the effects of drink, no doubt nis long and varied experiences in London have shown him that while persons may be suffering from a minimum of drink, they may also be suffering from a maximum of illness.