LICENSING PROBLEMS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 18 November 1943, Page 3

LICENSING PROBLEMS

POSITION IN INVERCARGILL DECISIONS AT PUBLIC MEETING (Bv Telegraph—Press Association.) . INVERCARGILL, November 17. A public meeting was held last night to discuss the problems raised by the restoration of liquor licences in Invercargill. Two motions were carried, one asking the Government to set up a commission to inquire into the existing and proposed accommodation in Invercargill and report to the Government on the desirability of extending the powers of the licensing committee for Invercargill, and the other asking the Government to amend the licensing laws to allow Invercargill to have hotels owned by the municipality. The first motion was carried practically unanimously and the motion asking for hotels controlled by the city council was carried on the voices. A number of speakers expressed the opinion that the matter was one for the ratepayers to decide and that a poll should be taken on the question. Other discussions have taken place in Invercargill on the restoration of liquor licences. Both the city council and the chamber of commerce have discussed the subject and public opinion has been voiced in letters to the Press. Both bodies agree on the need for a Royal Commission to inquire into alleged anomalies in the licensing laws of the Dominion, and the city council is interesting itself in the building bylaws as they affect hotels. Inquiries are to be made in Dunedin and Auckland on that point. That licensing should be controlled by the civil authorities is an interesting suggestion, but it is pointed out that even if public opinion were favourable the legal obstacles would be formidable. Under the existing law it is doubtful if the city council would even be able to purchase freehold properties and lease them to approved persons who could apply for licences. Supporters of civil control forecast substantial revenue from this source with an accompanying reduction in rates.