WHAT MIGHT BE.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XVII, Issue 1006, 17 June 1909, Page 20

WHAT MIGHT BE.

A PLEA FOR UNITED ACTION.

Our Sydney contemporary, “ Fair Play,” in an interesting leading article, shows what might be accomplished by a live Licensed Victuallers’ Association in this country, by pointing out what are the functions of the U.L.V.A. of New South Wales. That organisation is actively concerning itself with the following matters: — 1. Ceaseless organising work is carried on, not only in Sydney, but tnroughout the country. 2. The officials are consulted thousands of times during the year on points connected with law, trade customs, obtaining licenses, police

matters, etc., etc. 3. Legal advice and assistance is provided for members of the associa-

tion free. 4. The members are constantly advised as to technical matters, such as the breaking down of spirits, the use

of hydrometers, etc. 5 The officers are constantly co-ordi- ’ nating all the information upon decisions of the courts on liquor cases, which is available for the use of members, and the secretary has prepared a most useful epitome of the principal Acts affecting hotelkeep-

6. The acts of over-officious policemen are brought under the notice of the

proper authorities. 7. The interests of the hotelkeepers as employers were watched with the keenest interest, and defended in the

courts. n _ „ 8. The relations of the members of the ’ association as buyers of liquors are watched, and such matters as prices attended to; a professional analyst is employed, whose advice is S^ free to the members; the standard of spirits has been fixed on the representations of the association. 9. Rooms are provided for ™ enib where the papers are filed, and where a telephone and other conveniences are open for use. 10. Efforts are constantly made tor the remission of wrongful fines, and the Attorney-General, the InspectorGeneral, and the Superintendent of Police are interviewed frequently in the interests of the members. 11. A hundred important matters crop up in the every-day working of the association which keep the staff employed, and which furnish a heap of onerous work for the president and executive; while the annual conferences bring the licensed traders together for stocktaking. Tp New Zealand where the enemies of the Trade carry on an active war of aggression, the licensed yicS “ are for the most part supine, own interests. Surely it is time th ere was an awakening and a s « rrl ” nf thp drv bones. Now, if ever, is to organise tor aggressive work aoT it needs be, tor the carrying of the war into the camp of the enemy.