Editorial: Keep calm, carry on licensing

THERE has been keen debate over the upcoming rugby World Cup. Not the opinionated soundbites and hand-wringing of how our national team will perform, but rather where and when the public can watch the game and enjoy a drink while doing so.

The issue is timing. The tournament is being staged in Britain, and a number of matches involving the All Blacks happen in the early hours of our mornings. That sparked debate about licensed premises being able to open and serve patrons at game time.

Act leader David Seymour tried to allow bars to open outside legal trading hours but hit a snag when the Green Party initially rejected it. Next the Government stepped in to make the amendments to the law to let it happen - it only applies to All Blacks games, quarter-finals, semifinals, final and the play-off for third and fourth.

But it wasn't only Act and the Government supporting temporary licences. Labour called for legislation to include other sporting events, with leader Andrew Little saying most Kiwis were responsible drinkers who like celebrating victories with a drink "even if it is at 5am on occasion".

Alcohol Healthwatch condemned the move, calling it a mockery of the laws, but the organisation's director, Rebecca Williams, is drawing a long bow with her claim MPs are "kowtowing to the whims of the hospitality sector".

Ms Williams said recent laws showed Kiwis wanted a change in their drinking culture and they supported restricted trading hours. And we agree. But this amendment covers a handful of games, does not signal open slather and, like all liquor licensing events, will be monitored. There will always be exceptions to the rule and this is one of them. This is a change for a few weeks and it does not - indeed, must not - signal a reversion to what has been before.