CANBERRA “WET”

Hokitika Guardian, 4 January 1929, Page 3

CANBERRA “WET”

THE CAFE SYSTEM. BUSINESS PEOPLE OPTIMISTIC. SYDNEY, December 27. Canberra, Australia’s capital city, is now “wet.” The dry regime ended last Friday, and at 9 o’clock on Saturday morning the firs* glass of ale was served to a thirsty customer, 'a shepherd, who left a flock of sheep not fai from Parliament House • and went across to one of the hotels. He emerged with an unaccustomed sparkle in Ills eye. Then it rained heavily for the first time for months. Canberra was doubly “ wet.”

Of course, the conditions of the sale cm liquor in Canberra differs from those in force in other cities and towns of Australia. In Canberra they like to be refined, so there are no bars there and consequently no barmaids. Until other arrangements are made the Capital Commission is controlling the sale of liquor and it has leased shop premises at each of the different “centres” (called suburbs in an ordinary city). At these places, officially called “cafes.” an attempt is being made to carry out the Continental idea of having all drinks'consumed at tables rather titan at a bar counter. r ihe attempt was not entirely successful on the first day. Custom dies hard and most oil the customers at the cafes preferred to have their drink standing up. Nevertheless, it was a tact that the cafes were far better patronised than the two hotels, but this may have been due to the fact that the facilities provided if or drinking at the hotels were I, Y nil means adequate, nor were they invitine. The iiquor was hidden away, though it must he admitted that the Commission had stocked up so well that any order' could be lulfilled. At toe cafes public servants, commission officers, bank clerks, and professional m m called for their drinks alongside workers in their working attirti. and all appeared to enjoy the unusual experience. There will be no such things as saloon bars at Canberra, and if there are social distinctions in life at the capital they will not be reflected among the thirsty souls. Although the result of the first fevdays’ trading appeared to he satisfactory. it is hardly likely that the problem of turning the expensive hotels at Canberra, into payable propositions will he solved if the existing arrangements are continued, for the cales appear to take away from the hotels the ordinary bar trade which usually constitutes the chief source of profit to a hotel. Tn supplying drink at six centres the Commission has certainly catered well for all classes, hut with the present population at Canberra it is doubtful if so many establishments are justified. Canberra lias certainly gone “ wet ” with a vengeance, and it is probable that the tourist traffic will benefit accordingly. That, at least, is the hope of the people at Canberra. Business people are optimistic as to the effect of the introduction of liquor. One shonl-oeper says 'that there has been a. distinct improvement already in trade. He was fortunate in having a shop close to one of the cafes. Previously much of the trade went, to the imarbv town of Quemibeyan, "’lnch lias always been “ wet.” and Queanheyan traders naturally fear the effect of liquor sales at Canberra,