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Hokitika Guardian, 22 September 1920, Page 2

Mr Massey talks of taking up the reform of the licensing law—in the future When the subject cropped up in the House last week Mr Massey touched ; upon the subject. fl l have come to, the conclusion,” declared the Prime -Minister “that the licensing law needs reforming from top to bottom. We want to go in for a big scheme of reform, • but not this side of the licensing poll. I He went on to point out that Parliament might require a big extension of hotel accommodation, but it would lie unfair to do so just before an election. “Just imagine,” said Mr Massey, “a hotel in Wellington with only accommodation for six persons other than the licensee’s family.” Mr M’Callum: And a £4O fee. Mr Massey: That’s another point. There are lots of' others. Tt is absurd that hotels like some great establishments in Wellington doing an immense business, should get their lb cense for exactly the same fee as is charged a little roadside hotel in the country. It ought not to he allowed any longer than we can help, but we cannot do it this session, because it J

means going through the licensing law ( from beginning to end. I do’t think , we can do it next session, either, because | it would involve a heavy expenditure by licensees just before the poll.” It is obvious, however, that the subject cannot now be dealt with till after the J next licensing poll. If that negatives prohibition, as it seems very likely for various reasons which need not be gone into hero just now, it will be high time to place the licensing law, on stable foundations. For far too long the Trade has been at the mercy of successive polls, with a result that there is the highest degree of uncertainty. This affects the public very seriously, for all are more or less travellers nowa days, and without comfort and convenience in hotels away from home, holiday or business jaunts are marred. The publican is entitled to have security for his business if he is expected to cater for the travelling public as the law demands. The law in this respect is not as exacting as it should be, or rather is not administered as it should be. Having been licensed, the premise should be sufficiently furnished and outfitted to take a reasonable number of guests at all times of the year. The law should see that while it rigorously controls the bar, it should control no less rigorously the accommodation within the hotel. Given this attention and the public would have a greater appreciation of the necessity for licensed houses and would be less likely to express a desire to do away with them—on the contrary would seek more certainly to retain them.