Pubs feel Anzac law bite

By ALAN PERROTT

Bar owners say they would not mind shutting their doors at midnight on Saturday if the Anzac Day licensing law was extended to cover all liquor outlets.

Hotels and taverns must stop serving alcohol from midnight on Saturday.

But drinkers will still be able to find a late-night tipple at licensed restaurants, chartered clubs or entertainment venues.

"Most of us have a problem with the fact it is not a uniform rule," said Michael Ocego, manager of the Empire Tavern in Auckland city.

"With things like this, the Government needs to have consistency.

"At the moment, it's one rule for us and another for everyone else. If it was across the board, I wouldn't mind if they let us finish our normal Saturday at 2am and then not trade on Sunday at all."

The Hospitality Association's regional manager for Manukau, Waikato, Coromandel and Bay of Plenty, Graeme McKay, said any law was unfair if it affected the income of only one group.

The association, which represents more than 2000 businesses, has called for a return to the law which allowed bars to stay open until 3am on Anzac Day.

"No-one had a problem recognising that those three hours were part of the previous Saturday, but for some reason it was decided to take a far more stringent view of it," Mr McKay said.

Breaching the law could lead to a licence being revoked for seven days.

Ross MacDonald, manager of the QF Tavern on Auckland's Queen St, had no problem about closing.

"I'm happy about it because it's a memorable day for New Zealand and Australia.

"But I can't feel the same way about closing for Easter. What does that have to do with places like this? Anzac Day is far more important to me."