AUCKLAND LICENSED VICTUALLERS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LI, Issue 328, 21 January 1909, Page 4

AUCKLAND LICENSED VICTUALLERS.

THE PKOPOSED REFOK.MS. Mr. Arthur Myers, who is Mayor of Auckland and directs the largest' brewery and hotel proprietary concern of the North Island, has been* interviewed as to the resolutions passed by the Trade at Auckland last week. Air. Jlycrs said that in consequence of the large moderate vote cast for No-license, it had become necessary to review the conditions, under which the Trade was conducted; and, having found the reasons that caused so many people to vote Xo-liccnse, the next step was to effect a remedy. It was felt it would not be just to throw out of employment immediately barmaids at present following their lawful calling, many of whom had been mainstays of their families. Perhaps the Trade was not quile justified in refusing lo supply women with drink to be consumed ill hotels, but in view of the strong feeling expressed by very many people regarding the luulesirabilitv of the practice, the Trade felt that ihey must take aclion. Women would not be prevented from procuring liquor for their homes in cases of sickness, etc. It was fell, that the public generally would approve of the Trade's action. Air. Myers concluded: "We have 1 n giving these matters very serious consideration for ,ome time pa,t. as some of us felt that the time had arrived for bringing the conditions under which the Trade existed more into line with public opinion. There can be no doubt that n great majority of the people of the Dominion arc not. prohibitionists, and since the Trade are in the unique position of having to ask triennially for the continuance of their business existence from the public, it is necessary that the Trade shall be conducted on lines to be approved by the public at large."