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New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XI, Issue 515, 1 November 1900, Page 18

TIED HOUSES-

There seems to be some danger of hasty legislation being passed in New South Wales dealing with tied

houses. This is a vexed question, and one upon which divergent views are to be found existing in the ranks of brewers and also among licensed victuallers, says the Australasian Brewing World. That abuses have existed, and that hardships have been inflicted we have no wish to deny; but, on the other hand, the extreme length to which the tying process has been carried has become naturally evolved from the necessity under which the brewers have found themselves to protect the capital which they have been more or > less compelled to embark in the hotel business. The security offered in a whole host of cases is at the best precarious, and from the very sensitive nature of the business engaged in must always remain so, and no undue restrictions should be placed upon the brewer who finds that a good deal more than the mere operation of beer brewing is -comprehended by his business. As matters stand, brewers in all the colonies have found it necessary to absolutely acquire hotel property to an enormous extent, and the management and control of what may be called their real estate business, is one. of the most vexatious and harrassing features of brewing ventures. The tendency of any restrictive legislation against the tying up of houses will be to rather aggravate the brewers’ troubles in this direction, and we question very much whether it will have the effect of diminishing the actual or alleged evils which are held specially in view by the -would-be reformers. Nothing short of actual prohibition of hotel ownership by brewers will do away with the brewers’ control over the retail trade, and it is not easy to understand how the public are going to be benefited by the abolition of this control. The influence exerted upon the conduct of hotels and the quality of the liquors sold at hotels has been the reverse of injurious, and from the consumers’ point of view we do not see that anything will be gained. The licensed victualler may, in many cases, be able to breathe a little more freely, and may find himself in a position to play off one brewer against another in his endeavour to secure more advantageous terms than are possible under exist ng conditions, but it is questionable whether the increased competition among brewers which must result, will be attended with any public good. The law in force in New Zealand regarding tied houses has not been sufficiently

long in operation to allow of a definite opinion being formed as to its probable effects, but so far the millenial conditions foreshadowed by the advocates of restriction have not yet resulted, and we question if they will. The whole matter is too important to be “ monkeyed with,” and upon the grounds of public benefit wholly and solely, we submit that nothing has been adduced to justify the proposed restrictions. The passing of the Bill now before the New South Wales Assembly is problematical, and we hope at any rate, that the law will not be altered without the fullest consideration of the matter in every aspect.