IMPROVING THE LIQUOR TRADE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2402, 18 January 1909, Page 5

IMPROVING THE LIQUOR TRADE.

REFORMS IN AUCKLAND. [Press Association.l AUCKLAND, Jan. 16. A meeting of the Auckland brewers, wine and spirit merchants, and the Licensed Victuallers’ Association, representing all the wholesale trade and nearly every member of the retail trade, was" held yesterday. It was characterised by much, earnestness, and adopted unanimously resolutions embodying the following reforms: (1) Abolition of "barmaids ; it is proposed to keep a„register of all barmaids at present employed in the city of Auckland, and employ hereafter none, except those whose names are on such register. (2) The abolition of private bars when the present leases expire, except in ease of a lengthy period, when special date is to be fixed. (3) Raising the age of limit at which youths can be served with liquor in hotels from 18 to 20 years.- (4) No woman to bo supplied with drink lor consumption on tho premises, unless a boarder. Mr. Arthur Myers, interviewed on the subject of the resolutions passed, said that in consequence of the large moderate vote east 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 no-liceuso, the next step was to effect a remedy. It was felt that it would not be just to throw out ofemployment immediately the barmaids at present following a lawful calling, many of whom had been the mainstays of their families. Perhaps the trade was not quite justified in refusing to sunoly women with drink to be consumed in hotels, but in view of the strong feeling expressed by verv many people regarding the undesirability ' of" tiie practice., the trade jelt that they must Cake iaction. Women would not be prevented from procuring liquor for their homes in case of sideness, etc. It was felt that the oujjlic- generally would approve of the trade’s action. Mr. Myers concluded.: “We have been giving these matters very serious consideration for some time past, as some of us felt the time had arrived for bringing the conditions. under which tiro trade existed more into lino with public opinion. There can be no doubt that the great majority of the peorde of the Dominion are not prohibitionists, and since the trade arc 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 bo approved by the public at larged’