AN INTERESTING INTERVIEW.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XVII, Issue 978, 3 December 1908, Page 22

AN INTERESTING INTERVIEW.

Conversing with a member of the Trade regarding the effect of the Nolicense vote, a “Star” reporter was informed that it undoubtedly meant the stopping of a lot of expenditure that had been contemplated, but was held over until the decision of the people was ascertained. “ I know of one case,” he said, “ where an architect had received instructions to prepare plans for one building to cost about £lO,OOO, which it has now been decided not to proceed with, because no one can tell what will be the outcome of the local option poll next time. Under such circumstances, there is no encouragement to build for our particular trade. I know of another case in the city where an order for enlarging one hotel at a cost of £3OOO, has been cancelled, and in another instance the figure was £lBOO.

pie, but what can we do? When a business gets a knock like this, it simply means that as a matter of ordinary precaution expenditure must be cut down and everything made as ready as possible for what may happen in three years’ time,” “Is there any truth in the story that the Trade has decided to organise a boycott against those who fought for No-license?” “There is. absolutely no truth in that statement, for I can assure you that there is no organised boycott, though naturally you connot expect our people to look with favour upon those; who have taken such an active part against our interests. It is only right to assume that' we will support those who supported us in the recent contest, but at the same time I can assure you that the Trade has no intention of undertaking anything like an organised boycott against those who opposed us.” “Eave you any theory to advance as to the reason for the sudden increase in the No-license vote?” “No; but' I feel sure that a certain section of the public do not give those interested in the hotel business the credit due for the great improvement that has taken place in the management of such institutions of late years, compared with what was the case a while ago, I contend that the reformation of the Trade has been going on slowly, but steadily for the last ten years, and as a result a better state of things has been gradually evolved. It is not by revolution that such reforms are gained, but' by steady evolution. This has been the object aimed at by the Trade in the past, and with the mandate of the people, as shown by the recent vote, I feel it quite safe to say that the Trade will more than ever move in the direction of reform during the next three years.”