TAVERNS IN THE TOWNS

New Zealand Listener, Volume 32, Issue 821, 22 April 1955, Page 5

TAVERNS IN THE TOWNS

Sir,-Your correspondent "Concerned" takes a gloomy view of the results of licensing law reform, I think because he deals with only one aspect, the lengthening or changing of hours. He does, however, go a little deeper when he asks if the result is the same whatever the closing hour, following this up with the need for education. To my mind there are at least three factors in this problem: changing licensed hours, not merely lengthening them; changing the environment in which drinking takes place; encouraging the public to acclimatise itself to these. The English system is not just to have a "tea break," but to close bars from about 2.0 p.m. until 6.0 p.m. altogether. The evening session from 6.0 p.m. to 10.0 p.m., or later, is then completely separated from the midday period from 11.0 a.m., or whatever it may be, until 2.0 p.m. These hours are shortened on Sunday, but not done away with. The environment is, of course, of great importance, Except perhaps in some city or large town bars, the hotel or inn has a social atmosphere, the whole process encourages leisure and entertainment, and the "biggest swill in the shortest time" element is entirely absent, Moreover, especially in country areas, ladies can quite properly enter and take part. in the social gathering, and barmaids are in any case an "institution" which

has value, It is to be remembered that the average drinker who spends an hour or two, or even three, in an evening in these surroundings probably drinks less than many New Zealanders do in one hour from 5.0 p.m. to 6.0 p.m. at the present time, and since the former usually does not drink on a more or less empty stomach the results are far from the same. The incentive of the English system, moreover, to the taking of solid refreshment as well, is reflected in the large number of licensed restaurants, as distinct from ordinary inns. Such a system here would also go a long way (except perhaps in country districts at a distance from a licensed house) to solving the problem of drink in the backs of cars, etc., at dances, If the dance is taking place in evening licensed hours, those who cannot last out without a drink have hotels available, or, which is better in my view, the dance could have an "occasional licence" for a properly regulated bar. A _ well-controlled bar is far preferable to surreptitious drinking in holes and corners. All this may be very well, but the great obstacles are, of course, the virtual absence in this country of the type of licénsed house which can offer such social service, and the problem of changing the habits of the average New Zealand drinker to meet different conditions. Without meeting those obstacles the matter may justify "Concerned’s" doubts; with those overcome his apprehensions would be groundless.

DERRICK G.

SOFIO

(Whangarei),