INCREASE OF HOTELS

Gisborne Times, Volume V, Issue 102, 9 May 1901, Page 2

INCREASE OF HOTELS

(To the Editor.)

Silt, —In answer to your correspondent “ Iconoclast,” lot me say that I never “ accused ” him of being auybody or anything, but said that ho left himself open to certain suspicions. I submit that he is still in the same position, except that he admits himself an interssted party on behalf of a friend. The only additional information is that he is “ modest ” and lives in “ the country.” I shall bo glad if your correspondent will tell us whether he is discussing the question of accommodation or the sale of liquor; the questions are quite distinct. He contends for license, and there cannot be license without monopoly. I contend for no license,” and where there is no license there can be no monopoly. He says an accommodation house is needed in Gisborne, and he has a friend who is prepared to meet the need by building a house. Let his friend do so, and when the house is completed every board and nail of it will bo his own, and he can meet the need and make the money. The house is “ badly needed,” therefore it will pay. I thought your correspondent was going to “ compel ” his friend to build and I congratulate him on haying given up the idea. He makes a proviso, however, that his friend is to be granted a license. (If the public ask him to build a liquor shop no doubt they will give him a license.). But what does license mean ? It moans that, because of ufonopoly, a fictitious value is attached to a house. Let me illustrate the point. I know a house which was built for £2OO. As soon as a license was granted it was valued at £BOO. Now, where did the extra £6OO come from ? Doubtless we shall be told it is “vested interest.” This friend, of our “ modest ” friend asserts that there is need for another accommodation house, and proposes that he shall spend, say, e.g., £2OO, and that the public shall make him a present of, say, £6OO more in addition to a monopoly of the most lucrative trade any man can engage in. How modest! Let us bear in mind the difference between an accommodation house and a liquor shop. The challenge to debate, which comes without name or address, is too funny. Further, lam not aware that there are any freetrade proposals before the public,—l am, etc., '

B. F. Kothwkll. P.S.—My brevity is solely out of regard for your space.

To the Editor. Sir, —If another hotel is required in Gisborne it should be erected on the AVhataupoko, where I feel sure you will agree with me that one is urgently wanted. AVe have a number of thirsty inhabitants over here, and why should they have to walk right into town to quench their thirst ? It would also relieve the press of business on the present town hotels and do away with a certain amount of danger that our suburbans have to contend with in coming across those narrow bridges perhaps a bit olated at night. —I am, etc., Sue URBANITE.