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Dairy owners say it's grossly unfair that they will be forced to stop selling alcohol under proposed liquor law changes

Dairy owners say it's grossly unfair that they will be forced to stop selling alcohol under proposed liquor law changes

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Tue, 24 Aug 2010 12:19p.m.

By Brook Sabin

Dairy owners say it's grossly unfair that they will be forced to stop selling alcohol under proposed liquor law changes.

Justice Minister Simon Power announced a raft of possible changes yesterday including tightening up rules for convenience stores.

Ash Darji has been selling alcohol at his Auckland dairy for 10 years but he may have to soon change the shop's name because the Government has signalled it wants the practise to stop.

“Most people that come in here just buy one bottle of alcohol; they don't really buy and bulk alcohol at all,” Mr Darji says.

While splitting the age between off and on licences has gained the most attention, there could be big changes on the way for your corner store.

“Existing laws will be strengthened to exclude dairies and convenience stores from selling alcohol,” Mr Power said.

But Mr Darji says the measures won't be effective because if people want a lot of cheap alcohol they just head to the supermarket, and he says the move could financially cripple some dairies.

“They are thinking of banning the cigarette; if they ban the cigarette and the liquor there will be hardly any of the small businesses left,” he says.

The Retailers' Association predicts there could be problems in defining exactly what constitutes a dairy, when many are virtually small supermarkets.

“I think as long as there are grey areas around the definition you're going to get people trying to pull the wool over the eyes of the district licensing authority,” says Bruce Robertson.

He says the Association will consult the Government over the definition when the liquor proposals reach select committee stage later in the year.

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Comments [14]

Davyd
26 Aug 2010 1:39p.m.

Ruz, I am yet to see proof (actual data) that shows shops loosely defined as dairies are more likely to sell to those underage. What is the logic you speak of regarding where sale of liquor should take place?
Sale of liquor from numerous small outlets in suburban areas enables people to purchase modest quantities as required for responsible drinking. As a readily available supply not requiring long distance travel also reduces the activity of ‘stocking up’ can support overall decreased consumption of liquor. This is also supported by the reverse experience from overseas; when liquor outlet density is dramatically reduced and store hours are also limited there is more binge drinking and more alcohol dependency problems.
The ‘logic’ or argument for allowing liquor sales at sporting events or concerts is to have greater control over the quantity consumed at the event. Not selling at the event will not affect how much is consumed prior to entering the venue directly, however having liquor sales at the venue at a reasonable price enables some control over alcohol consumption at the venue and reduces the perceived need to ‘tank up’ prior to entry.

Ruz
25 Aug 2010 1:30p.m.

Dairy owners are more likely to sell to those underage. There was never any logic in allowing them to sell alcohol in the first place. There is also no logic in allowing alcohol to be sold at sporting events and concerts etc. Alcohol should only be sold in pubs and clubs at at traditional bottle stiores.

Davyd
25 Aug 2010 10:45a.m.

It is the excessive consumption of alcohol that is the primary problem; there is a secondary issue of under age drinkers’ access to alcohol which is not the same question as the number or type of licensed liquor outlets.
I see a number of comments saying Dairies or Convenience stores should not be allowed to sell alcohol without any substantive argument for this view other than the feeble ‘because that’s the way it once was’.
There may have been the consequence from the current Sale of Liquor Act whereby some types of outlets now have a licence unintended by the legislators. @ Russell that still makes those Dairies licensed premises; the actual problem is the poor definition in Sale of Liquor Act as to what type of outlet could apply for an Off-Licence.
@ Jan, the Government does not sell liquor licenses, it is the individual District Licensing Agencies that grant licences or if opposed the Licensing Authority.

jan..
25 Aug 2010 9:07a.m.

The Goverment should stop selling liquor licenses and think about the danger out there in the community..

Steve
24 Aug 2010 8:08p.m.

Boo-hoo!

Russell
24 Aug 2010 7:46p.m.

Dairies should never have been allowed to sell alcohol in the first place Licensed premises only, alcohol is to readily available to anyone these days thanks to laws passed by politicians like Jenny Shipley and co

Alex
24 Aug 2010 5:47p.m.

If the dairy is abiding by the rules and selling only to age legal customers and not intoxicated drunks then leave them alone! It's not the outlets that are responsible, it is the individuals who buy the alcohol, consume it thereafter, and then misbehave.

Dene
24 Aug 2010 4:26p.m.

Dairies should never have been allowed to sell liquor! Wholesalers and hotels only. Like it used to be. Minimum age20. Drink drive limit should be ZERO. Shame our Government hasn't got the guts to stand up and really do something! To scared to upset the voters?







katrina
24 Aug 2010 2:18p.m.

I agree, there are enough places selling alcohol without dairies as well.

peter
24 Aug 2010 2:07p.m.

To get a liquor license he had to convince the council that his was a grocery shop capable of providing the primary grocery needs of a household, using a rule that was designed to allow a supermarket to sell wine and beer. The law was designed to allow mature people a chance to buy a bottle of wine with their flash cheese, not for these cowboys to develop a third side to their business after lollies and tobacco. Now he knows, and everyone else does, that for most dairies this is nonsense and he has cheated the rules for ten years, been caught and pulled back onside.

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