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LIQUOR AT CANBERRA.

FIRST GLASS OF BEER. N

CAFE SYSTEM IN OPERATION.

SYDNEY, Jan. 2

Canberra; Australia's capital city, is now "wet." The dry regime ended last Friday, and at 9 o'clock on Saturday morning the first glass of akwas served to a thirsty customer, a Shepherd who left a Hock of sheep not far fronr Parliament House and went across to one of the hotels. He. emerged with an .unaccustomed sparkle iu his. eye. Then it rained heavily for the first time f,or months. .• Canberra was doubly "wet."

Of course, the conditions of the sale of liquor in Canberra "differ from those in force iu other cities and towns of Australia. In Canberra they, like to be refined, so there .are'no-bais there, and consequently no barmaids. Until other'arrangements are made the 'Cap-ital'Com-missioi, is controlling the sale of liquor, and it has leased shop premises at each of the different "centres"—called uiburbs 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 than at a bar counter. The attempt was not entirely successful on the first day. Custom dies hard, and most of the customers at the .cafes preferred to have their drink standing up.

Nevertheless,- it was a. fact, that the: cafes were far better patronised tliau the two hotels, but this may have been due to the fact that the facilities provided for driniring at the hotels wertby no means adequate, nor wore 'taeyinviting. The liquor was hidden away, though it must admitted >that the Commission had stocked up so well that any order v could be fulfilled. At the cafes public servants, Commission officers, bank clerks, ami professional men called for their drinks alongside workers in their working attire, and all appeared to enjoy the unusual experience. There will be no •such things as saloon bars at Canberra, and if 'here are social distinctions in life at the capital they will not be reflected among the thirsty souls.

Although the result of the first day's, trading appeared to be satisfactory, it is hardly likely that the problem of turning the ■expensive hotels at Canberra into payable propositions will bs solved if> the existing arrangements ale continued, for the cafes appear to take away from the hotels the ordinary bar trade which usually constitutes, the chief source of profit to a hotel. Iu supplying drink at six centres the Commission has certainly catered well for all classes, but with the present population at Canberra it is doubtful if so many establishments' are justified. Canberra has 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 shopkeeper says there has been a "distinct improvement already in trade. H-j was fortunately having a. shop close to one of the cafes. Previously much of the trade went to the nearby town of Queanbeyan, which has always- been "wet." Queanbeyan traders naturally J ear the effect of liquor sales at Canberra.

Permanent link to this item
Hononga pūmau ki tēnei tūemi

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/SNEWS19290115.2.32

Bibliographic details
Ngā taipitopito pukapuka

Shannon News, 15 January 1929, Page 4

Word count
Tapeke kupu
530

LIQUOR AT CANBERRA. Shannon News, 15 January 1929, Page 4

LIQUOR AT CANBERRA. Shannon News, 15 January 1929, Page 4

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