THE LIQUOR RESTRICTIONS.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXI, Issue 27, 30 August 1916, Page 4

THE LIQUOR RESTRICTIONS.

The coming into force of the recentlypassed anti-shouting liqour regulations has already made people think, in other than the usual directions! with regard to the business. For in-

stance one man prominently connected with the trade draws the Auckland Star’s attention to the tact that the regulations referred exclusively to “intoxiating” liquor. Hence there could be no objection to a man having something stronger than water himself and calling for a soft drink for a friend. There was nothing to prevent the prohibitionist from buying bowls of beef lea for the entire bar company, or from indulging himself and bis friend in any kind of mineral water or soda-fountain concoction. Hence the hotelkeepers might consider it politic to develop this particular class of trade. The person* above referred to also maintains that there can be no doubt that the abolition of treating, will work a revolution in the conduct of public houses. In the past people have rushed in to | have a stand-up drink in the bar and this authority now discovers that they drank far too quickly for refreshment to be healthy. In future they would require more room more time, and it might be that we should revert to the old-time con-i ception of a hostelry where men assembled and spent pleasant and eon-, vivial hours in gossip. Maybe we! might have to develop the moderm idea .favored on the Continent,, mak-j ing the hotels pleasant and attractive! places of recreation, and instituting hands and music. Personally he thought the introduction of the Continental system would have-an excellent effect on the hotels themselves, and would provid a lucrative trade.