LIQUOR LICENSES

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 14, Issue 31, 29 August 1949, Page 5

LIQUOR LICENSES

Sir, —Forty years ago all that was required to make a town was the availability of work. Find a man a job and he made his own fun. Times have changed greatly since then and moire important than mbs are social amenities! A fact borne out by the continued drift to the cities. If Whakatane is to expand it must be able to offer more than its neighbouring counties. With the distribution of new wholesale liquor licences Whakatane has the opportunity to improve its services and bring a few ‘of the cities’ amenities nearer home. It is a fact that the average farm- ■ er likes a glass of beer as well as, his city cousin,' Unfortunately for him, though, his hour's of work prevent him from enjoying a drink at an hotel in legal hours. His alternative is to buy liquor in bulk and at present he has the choice of three suppliers: 1. The publican, at full retail rates. 2. . Order in advance through a local agent who is on a commission basis. 3. Send out of the country to the nearest wholesaler—plus freight. If Whakatane does not get a wholesale liquor licence it will be due to either apathy or conflicting business interests. Either of those things will be enough to condemn Whakatane to be forever a little town for little people. I must conpliment the Chamber of Commerce on its decision to give evidence on our behalf before the Commission, and would like to hear expressions of opinion from other local bodies. , Yours etc., A FARMER.