OWNERSHIP OF HOTELS

Chronicle (Levin), 8 May 1947, Page 6

OWNERSHIP OF HOTELS

—Press : Association

MASTERTON FAVOURS PRIYATE . ) ENTERPRISE. • ,

By Telegraph-

MASTERTON,^ May 6. ' Publie opinion in the former Masterton no-liceiiee ' district . seems to be swinging in favour of private enter•prise. That. is an opinion formed after an exhaustive investigation. Advantages seen under private enterprise are: Competition for - licences made available and competition to give the best serviee afterwards; aecommodation in accordance with the Licensing Act'gained more quiekly; a choice in draught beers from the taps;- a choice in type of hotel; counter luncn and "shouting"; vertical drinking; and charters for existing clubs in tne district. Against these obvious advantages the alternatives under a trust would be: No- charters for existing clubs; no choice in draught beer from the- taps (most likely a brewery would be bought and its draught beer sold) ; no compention to provide the best service, aeeommodation and counter lunch; elimmation of vertical drinking; and no shouting. ' . In the months that have passea since restoration was carried in Masterton people have had time to weign up earefully the issues involved and it seems that there is a good deal of japprehension about the form of trust tne Minister of Justice has in mind. . A mat'ter of eoncern to the great body of golfers and ex-servicemen m the district is wliether or not therr clubs will -reeeive a charter to selJ liquor if trust control is carried. It is praetieally certain that no new char- . ters will be issued. Under private enterprise it is possible to have charters. That applies particjilarly to working men's clubs and " a move has already been made in Masterton to establish such a club. In Eketahuna it " seems that trust control will be strongly favoured. The advanage over private enterprise ;seems to be that Eketahuna, ean only earry one hotel and a trust would be able to provide an adequate service. Tliere would not be the same competition as in Masterton under private control, however, and anj' kind of service coula be provided by the one hotel.