Alcohol ‘not only reason for violence’

Press, 30 June 1983, Page 9

Alcohol ‘not only reason for violence’

Long-term unemployment should not be overlooked as a cause of violence and other “social evils,” according to the president of the Hotel Association of New Zealand, Mr J. V. McCormack. “A close control on the consumption of alcohol is one way of reducing violence, but unlike some people I do not believe that alcohol is the only reason for violence,” said Mr McCormack in his annual report. He said that vandalism in hotels and taverns was often reported “out of proportion to other examples of this activity.

“In 1982 I said that television with its portrayal of violence beamed directly into the living room could be responsible for much of this ugly phenomenon. The

recent ‘violence in television’ report confirms that others in the community think similarly, irrespective of the media’s initial out-of-context reporting,” said Mr McCormack. He said that there had been changes in all sections of the community, except the student fraternity. “Again, just prior to ‘capping week,’ hotels and taverns were the scene of much loutish and boorish behaviour, and extreme vandalism; it took much violence to pull toilet seats from the bases, and the bases from the floor. The supporters of ‘getting back to basics’ in education could not have envisaged it being taken, literally, to such depths,” said Mr McCormack. The Hotel Association had made representations to the

police and the president of the Students’ Association, and kept written evidence of the damage.

“It is apparent that each new breed of student has to be reminded of their obligation to a society which gave them the opportunity to further their education,” said Mr McCormack.

The proliferation of club and other licences outside the traditional “licensed trade” was of continuing concern to H.A.N.Z. members, he said. While there were safeguards against the escalation of hotel, tavern, or tourist house licences, no such restriction applied to club, food, or entertainment

licences, or “bring-your-own” liquor permits. According to the Hotel Association’s own figures on licences at April 1, 1983, only 22 per cent were held by hotels and taverns.

Mr McCormack said that health and fire regulations should be standardised to apply equally to all licensed premises.

“After all, the health and safety of a person attending a Fire Service canteen or a rugby club is certainly as important as for those attending a hotel or a tavern,” said Mr McCormack.