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INQUIRY INTO N.S.W.
LIQUOR TRADE
SYDNEY, Tuesday. — A
Royal Commission will in
quire into the liquor trade
in New South Wales. The
commission will investigate,
among other things, brewery
ownership of hotels and
their financial interest in
them, the tied house system,
and the reintroduction of
local option.
The decision to appoint the
Royal Commission followed
weeks of discussion and in
quiry by the Government and
Opposition parties. This morn
ing the Opposition leader (Mr.
Vernon Treatt) moved in the
Legislative Assembly that the
Royal Commission be appoin
ted.
The Independent Labour
member for North Sydney
(Mr. J. L. Gerag-hty) indicated
before Parliament that ne
would support the motion for
a Royal Commission. Labour,
which, with the Speaker in
the chair, has a 47-46 major
ity, would have been defeated
had Mr. Geraghty voted for
Mr. Treatt's motion.
When Parliament adjourned
this morning a special meeting
of the Parliamentary Labour
Caucus was held. Immediately
the House resumed the Premier
(Mr. McGirr) announced that
Mr. Treatt's motion would be
accepted. He then moved an
amendment to enlarge the
scope of the inquiry.
Mr. Treatt's motion sought:
Setting up of a Royal Commis
sion to inquire into hotel
ownership by brewery com
panies, and their financial in
terest in and control of hotels:
into the "tied house" system:
whether liquor is being distribu
ted equitably: and such other
things as the Government con
siders necessary.
Mr. McGirr's amendment
provided for the Royal Com- i
mission to inquire into the fol
lowing additional matters: Re-
introduction of local option:
adequacy of the present pro
visions relating to the transfer
of hotel licences: advisability of
additional club licences; whe
ther present provisions cover
ing the obligation of hotel-
keepers to provide meals and
accommodation is adequate for
the public need.
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