Tales from the Past - a look at the history of HANZ Chapters 10-11

Chapter 10:

Another record attendance gathered at the St James Theatre in Greymouth for the 69^th annual conference in 1971. The West Coast centre had hosted the first ever conference away from Wellington in 1929 and then again in 1957, and had attracted large audiences on each occasion.

Jim Coltman, although he did not attend the conference, had continued his crusade to have the hotel owning company representatives and in particular the Brewery nominees expelled from attending but again was unsuccessful. He received considerable support when he produced strong evidence that NZ Breweries had allegedly guaranteed $800,000 to the Ashburton Licensing Trust who were selling beer cheaper than the hotels. He had suggested too that the Brewers had also opposed the HANZ effort to facilitate extended hours permits for taverns claiming that such a process would endanger the profitability of the many accommodation units which had all the facilities to legally serve food and drink without a permit.

Even the Wellington delegates attending the conference could not support Coltman's stand and the issue faded away. Wellington did have a win when a remit they had submitted introducing badged 6" x 6" glass ash trays under the same rules as the glass ware, was carried with acclamation !! The Public Relations sub-committee had performed well.

The magnificent new Sandown Motor Hotel in Gisborne hosted the 1972 conference which saw Jim Ewart stand down as President after 13 years in the chair. Together with Jack Parker of Auckland he was honoured with life membership. The election of officers was an early agenda item and rather surprisingly Bill Thomas of Wellington was elected to the Presidency ahead of the Senior Vice President Arthur McGregor of Christchurch. Many on the top table in the '60's and '70's were returned service men. Thomas had spent most of his army service as a prisoner of war, while McGregor had risen to the rank of Brigadier. Treasurer Lloyd Morgan had served as a Major in the 27^th Machine Gun Battalion in North Africa and Italy, while several of the committee of management including the celebrated All Black prop John Simpson were returned men.

The conference featured three excellent speakers, Minister of Justice Sir Roy Jack, Jim Thompson, director of the Liquor Industry Council and Director of the Vocational Training Council and former All Black captain Bob Stuart. However, the feature was a speech by a hard case West Coast publican Ron Thompson who like a lot of heartland hoteliers had taken exception to the large breweries taking over the smaller private brewery establishments around the country. Thompson was particularly upset about the takeover of his beloved Westland Brewery by DB, and said so in what was ostensibly a serious oration. Unhappy about the quality of the new beer being brewed, the Coasters sent two samples of the new DB beer away to the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research in Christchurch to be tested.

The new and rather nervous President Bill Thomas, aware that there were several brewery representatives in the room, endeavoured to curb the enthusiastic Thompson, and told him in no uncertain terms that it was a hotel conference and not a brewer's conference. Undeterred Thompson carried on and finalised his address by saying, "Mr. President, I am pleased to tell you that I have the DSIR report right here in my hand and both the samples submitted have been tested and both horses should be fit to resume training next week !!" Even the brewers in the room roared with laughter.

Meantime the industry was facing a comprehensive Royal Commission of Enquiry into Liquor and Mr J. F. Jeffries (later the Hon. Sir John Jeffries, Judge of the Supreme Court) and Mr. J. J McGrath (currently the Hon. John McGrath Appeal Court Judge) appeared for the Association. Although there were many radical submissions made by various parties, HANZ settled for pragmatic suggestions and the eventual report from the Commission was generally in the association's favour. Lowering the age to 18 did not succeed at the time but there was sympathy and eventual success for lowering the age of barmaids and allowing them to work later hours. Other issues submitted by HANZ were bigger penalties for minors and verification of age, prohibition for assault offenders on licensed premises, dry tills for extended hours permit functions and later closing on Friday and Saturday, all of which in time were enacted.

Messrs Jeffries and McGrath addressed the conference in 1973 at the new Rutherford Hotel in Nelson, and the delegates were visibly impressed by the efforts of counsel representing HANZ, and the input from the executive staff. Not that the HANZ staff had nothing else to do. Apart from organising a survey of 126 hotels and taverns for the submissions, they also had to contend with day to day issues like a Government price freeze, the introduction of equal pay, Accident Compensation legislation and an Industrial Relations Act introducing personal grievances.

Among the obituaries listed at the New Plymouth conference at the Westown Hotel in 1974 was Percy Taylor Coyle, a man who had made a great contribution to the hotel industry. He had taken over the Presidency in 1924 when the administration was in something of a shambles with the sudden departure of the previous president Pat Brodie of Auckland and the interim chairmanship of James McDonald. He rose to the prestigious position of secretary of the National Council and had been made a life member of HANZ in 1956.

Jim Thompson who spoke at conference congratulated HANZ and counsel appearing for the association for the great effort that had been put in to the Royal Commission. Particularly pertinent was the fact that many of the HANZ submissions became law very soon after the Commission's findings, and other issues recognized as credible eventually became acceptable.

The committee of Management now boasted four representatives of hotel owning companies. They were John Wright from NZB, Laurie Dennis, THC, Allan Riddiford, of Ballins and well known rugby identity and All Black tour manager Ron Burk of DB, another returned serviceman who had won the Distinguished Conduct Medal in North Africa. Joining them on the committee was All Black selector and coach Jack Gleeson a hotelier from Feilding.

Robert Sell of Auckland, a pioneer in the licensed restaurant field formed the South Pacific Hotel and Catering Institute and sought the support of HANZ , a move that bought strong objection from, the powerful lobby vote of the brewery representatives. However, many licensees did join and for some years SPHCI was a respected organisation although rather more related to the restaurant scene than a hotel environment.

With the introduction of daylight saving sterling efforts were made to have an extra hours trading at the end of the day with a sacrifice for later opening, and the issue almost sneaked through Parliament in a late night sitting. However, there was no such laxity when the ACC legislation was introduced in 1974 with the first payments due on 31 March 1975. The extra work load on HANZ office staff increased with the resignation of popular Jenny Hermans in October of 1974. Jenny had been a magnificent secretary at Head Office for ten years. Nola Walton, who had had a long association with wages and front office management with NZB hotels joined HANZ in 1975 as assistant industrial officer and graduated to an extremely capable Office Manager for many years before her retirement.

No doubt with the help of the Canterbury branch president, retired Brigadier Arthur McGregor, the Brevet Club of Christchurch was the venue for the 73^rd HANZ conference in 1975 and delegates heard a daunting speech by Australian Hotels Association president J B McInerney regarding the damage to hotel profits through licensed clubs and Sunday trading on the other side of the Tasman. These prophetic words were an indication of what was to come in this country in the decade ahead.

HANZ, however were financially well off and the mid seventies saw senior board executive members and staff attending industry conferences in many countries in the Asian and Pacific Basin area. All related to the industry and there was valuable feed back particularly in areas of administration, tourism and marketing. All participants reported back to the committee in detail, and in almost every visit the problems in the countries visited were virtually the same as those being experienced in New Zealand.

The new offices in Education House opened on 1 May 1975 and the vacated Westbrook House space still owned by HANZ was used as a hotel staff recruitment office until 1976 when the operation was moved to Education House. Other spare space in the new site was leased to the New Zealand Wine and Spirits Association under the control of popular chief executive Ted Buddicom who had spent a life time in the wine and spirit business. Upon his retirement from the liquor trade he was a key part of the administration of grants from Pub Charity in the early stages of the gaming machine regime. The spare space at Westbrook House was leased after a good offer to the international consultants J P Young and Associates.

The Hotel Managers Guild appeared again in the mid seventies under the chairmanship of Sir William Gentry a retired high ranking army officer. HANZ had handled the Managers Committee, as it had became known, very professionally and it was interesting to note that by 1975 there were no longer any of the original committee members left. Many however, held committee of management positions on HANZ. HANZ had been very generous to the managers but when Sir William made an approach for more finance including a substantial rise in his honorarium together with the appropriate general wage order increase, HANZ virtually said "enough is enough !!"

Sir William resigned as chairman shortly after and was replaced by former Lion executive Derek Beresford. Eventually the committee was chaired by Vic Watts, a popular Auckland manager who had held high offices in HANZ and was one of the many credible managers who had helped to retain an ethical bond between HANZ and the committee.

With the radical changes in the industry it was inevitable that there were several issues with the breweries which involved HANZ and the members. The smaller breweries being closed down resulted in draught beer being carried further from the main centres to country areas at an additional freight rate of 5 cents a gallon. To make matters worse, despite the odd denial, practically all breweries were installing tanks for sporting clubs holding an ancillary licence, and of course delivering the product in many cases without the freight charge. Hoteliers took exception to the favoured treatment given that for the best part of a century hotels had been the sole customers of the brewers as it was still illegal for wholesalers to sell draught beer.

Deputations were taken to brewery chiefs but it was soon obvious that ancillary licences were here to stay, although history would soon show that making money selling beer was not as easy as many had thought. Eventually an equitable price per gallon was established between the clubs and the supplier, whether brewery or hotel, and even the local wholesaler who wasn't supposed to have anything to do with draught beer. The whole scene was certainly a shambles.

In Wellington, a small second division rugby club with a somewhat dubious cross section of players and supporters made application for a Club Charter. HANZ obviously opposed the application and the HANZ legal advisers Messrs Jefferies and McGrath acted very quickly and achieved the appropriate result. Within a few months John Jeffries was elevated to the High Court bench after a distinguished and dedicated contribution to the industry. As expected he was replaced by John McGrath who had served HANZ equally as well, and continued to do so in the years ahead. At the time of the decision a rather odd comment was made by the president Bill Thomas. He indicated to John McGrath that in matters of major proportions it may be necessary to brief more senior counsel !! The affable McGrath agreed but subsequent events clearly indicated that there would be no need for such action.

J B G Smith a long serving committee of management member died in 1976 and was replaced by R D (Ted) Butt, a colourful Maori publican who had large hotel interests in the Bay of Plenty area. He was also a long serving HANZ nominee on the National Council of Maori Wardens, and when he disposed of his hotel interests in 1982 he was replaced on the Wardens Committee by another great HANZ personality Evan Mita owner of Butlers Reef Hotel in Taranaki.

Air India offered President Bill Thomas a free trip to India and free accommodation at the opening of the New Air India Hotel, but as he was unable to attend his vice president Arthur McGregor obliged.

Treasurer Lloyd Morgan was nominated for the World Presidency of Lions International which involved a rather costly campaign. HANZ canvassed licensees and over $2,000 was raised and Lloyd became the first New Zealander to hold the office. He was later honoured with the OBE for his services to the Lions movement. His commitment necessitated his resignation from the executive and also from the New Zealand Accommodation Council where he was replaced by Tim Hurley of Wanganui who was to go on to make a wonderful contribution to the industry, particularly in the tourist and accommodation sectors, before moving to Queensland in the 1990's.

The 1976 Sale of Liquor Amendment (No 2) allowed HANZ during the process to look at Sunday trading, especially if granted to clubs, an extension for daylight saving, I D Cards, and the right to object to manager certificate applications. Again, respectful cognizance was taken of the issues but it still took a long time before the "wish list" was complete.

Things were busy on the industrial front as well. New wage schedules due to the costs of living adjustment included for the first time provision for equal pay, with the first step due in May 1976. Tom Sheehy reported on important new provisions in the Musicians Award and the Actors Equity Variety Artists Award. It was important for members to be aware of these hitherto remote provisions given the new culture that later closing and new legislation had bought.

The Hotel Catering and Industry Board also worked well with the changes. Joe Williams and Tom Sheehy were both members of the HACIT Board and HANZ were responsible for the issue of manuals, handbooks and the organisation of seminars covering security awareness, host responsibility, management training, and numerous wage and award schedules. Dominion Breweries produced a sophisticated and comprehensive Managers Manual, suitably endorsed with appropriate penalties for indiscretions by the manager, while Tom Sheehy produced several pragmatic booklets like "Cheers - Mine Host" and "N Z Hotelkeeper" which clearly set out the duties and responsibilities of those aspiring to a position in hotel management.

1976 saw the last issue of the "Licensee" when the long serving editor Len Cronin retired. Despite earlier disputes it had become a respectful magazine for the trade and it was some time before an appropriate substitute was found.

1976 also saw the sudden death of Jim Coltman, a great personality and a man who may have upset a lot of people but helped accomplish a lot for the private owners and the smaller operators. Jim had served in the Second World War flying Ventura bombers in the Pacific and despite his odd tiff with the breweries and bureaucrats everyone knew exactly where they stood with Jim Coltman.

On one occasion he stormed out of a meeting of the Wellington branch after a prominent member of the committee denied he was planning to build a wholesale department in his hotel, against the policy of HANZ. Jim, known as the "Willis Street Whisper" had somehow obtained the plans and the evidence and tendered his resignation from HANZ on the spot. When the stormy meeting was over the committee were invited to the Pavilion Bar in Jim's Grand Hotel where he had organised a shout and was as jovial as ever. What you saw was what you got with James Thomas Coltman.

At the time of his death he was campaigning against HANZ giving membership to the Licensing Trusts, and banning HANZ advertising on television except for food and accommodation. No doubt he still had issues to settle with the breweries as well.

Because of the number of registrations for the 74^th annual conference in Waitangi, it was necessary to ballot accommodation. It was also announced that casual wear would be appropriate as it was a resort area, but it would be essential to war full formal dress for the Brewers' Dinner!

A tribute was paid at the conference to Mr G A Turner the HANZ Industrial Advocate since 1954. He praised the work of Tom Sheehy for his efforts during the recent industrial trouble affecting supplies throughout the country which had almost resulted in Government intervention with urgent legislation before it was solved. Mr Turner died a short time after the conference.

Guest speakers were the Deputy Prime Minister Brian Talboys, and Liquor Industry Chief, Jim Thompson who had just been appointed to the newly formed Alcohol Liquor Advisory Council.

The HANZ Disciplinary Committee were kept busy with two licensees prosecuted for misrepresentation by substituting premium spirits with a cheaper variety, and the proprietor of the Cantabrian Hotel in Christchurch convicted of receiving. However, before the committee could deal with him the Canterbury branch had organised his dismissal from the hotel and the cancellation of his license and no further action was taken

President Bill Thomas gave notice that he would not be standing for the position at the 1977 annual general meeting due to ill health. Auckland, and Waikato-King Country had expressed interest in hosting the conference but Queenstown won and there were plenty of agenda items to concern delegates. The introduction of ancillary licenses was a major worry. John Flanagan, the highly respected secretary of the LCC attended the conference and alarmed delegates by revealing that there were already over 2000 ancillary licenses in existence.

He did however, promise to supply to HANZ from the Commission a weekly list on ancillary licenses issued, and was thanked for his consideration. Flanagan had been a good friend of the industry, while retaining the necessary decorum and ethics of a top public servant.

Another major concern was the pending Human Rights legislation, an issue that hoteliers had never had to worry about too much. There were some major shocks in store particularly in the area of advertising for staff. Tom Sheehy and Jim Thompson addressed conference and shocked many delegates when they were told that no longer would they be able to advertise specifically for attractive barmaids and in fact could not even nominate the sex of the prospective employee whether good looking or not.

At the recommendation of the Wellington branch an adjustment was made to the committee of management. With the sub committee structure there were too many from the Capital and although others around the country would be given the chance to serve at the higher level the treasurer Cliff Boyle, who came from Invercargill, had warned on several occasions that traveling and accommodation expenses were well over budget.

The following year's conference held in the Waikato Motor Hotel produced a record number of remits and again the prime complaint was the ancillary licenses. Members felt aggrieved that sporting clubs with ancillary licenses could trade on Sunday by merely making a call to the local police station and notifying the not particularly interested constabulary that a sporting contest was being held that afternoon. In addition there were usually volunteers behind the bar and no wages, tax or tavern levy to pay. Dubious raffles, many illegal, were run continuously in most sporting clubs, it did not seem necessary to have food and worst of all the notorious Ministry of Transport drinking/driving "blitz"" appeared to be only aimed at hotels and taverns.

As can be imagined the Hamilton conference was quite vocal. Guest speakers were Police Commissioner Bob Walton and the new LCC chair Judge J R P Horn. There were many questions but neither speech was recorded or reported at the request of the guest speakers.

A quieter reception greeted two second year students and tutors from the Hotel Catering and Industry Training Board who made a presentation, although a subsequent request from the HCITB for a grant of $30,000 from HANZ was not greeted with the same enthusiasm. On a more pleasant note Tim Hurley was elected president of the N Z National Travel Association for a two year term.

Executive committee member Jack Gleeson was congratulated by HANZ and indeed the whole country when he coached the All Blacks through Britain on the Grand Slam tour of 1978. Sadly, the popular Gleeson died a year after his successful tour, but his charming widow Ida created history the following year when she became the first lady delegate to appear at a HANZ conference. Representing the Manawatu-Rangitikei branch she broke another record the following year when she was to become the first woman to chair a HANZ branch and appear as a delegate at conference.

Personnel changes saw chairman Dennis McGrath resign from the HANZ disciplinary committee in 1978 and replaced by a prominent Wellington barrister Michael Hardie-Boys, later to be come a Supreme Court Judge and Governor General of New Zealand. Upon Judge Hardie-Boys elevation to the Bench he was replaced by R D Jamieson SM, a former Wellington Magistrate and LCC chairman.

A Bottle Store Price Guide for the whole country produced in 1978 was deemed by the Commerce Commission to be against the public interest. HANZ took the matter to appeal and HANZ legal representative John McGrath suggested the help of senior counsel and nominated Mr Ian McKay a prominent Wellington barrister and later the Hon Sir Ian MacKay of the Supreme Court. John McGrath elected to be Junior Counsel and was commended for his action although many senior HANZ executive thought that McGrath was more than capable of handling the brief in this very important decision.

In the event Mr McKay was otherwise engaged on a long hearing and John McGrath handled the appeal on his own and secured a handsome victory and a very important precedent from the association's point of view. John McGrath and Joe Williams later traveled to Sydney and Melbourne investigating the sports club and hotel scene while Judge Jeffries and Jim Thompson did a similar exercise in the United Kingdom.

The last conference of the 1970's was held in the Regent Theatre Trust Building in Greymouth in 1979. The LCC in their annual report had recommended that Sunday opening must be considered particularly in view of the laxity allowed to the ancillary license holders. There was also an appeal to Breweries to supply pints and cans direct ex brewery at the same price as wholesalers. There was extreme concern about the damage being done by outlets like "Super Liquor" who were price cutting blatantly but legally.

The 1980 conference in Rotorua coincided with the city's centennial and again there was major concern over price cutting. President Gerry Power also made an attack on greedy licensees selling liquor to gangs in Nazi garb and suggested that all Maori gang members get back to their natural Maori culture where they could find something to be proud of !!

Many prominent trade members had died during the year including past president Arthur McGregor, Barney Ballin , Warren Williams of DB and Bill Gleeson the first licensee of the Empire Hotel in Feilding and father of the late Jack Gleeson.

Gordon Dean, principal of the Tasmania College of Hospitality gave an illuminating address on effective training procedures, motivation and communication. He subsequently spoke at polytechnics throughout New Zealand.

Despite the disruption associated with the tour of the South African rugby team to this country in 1981, there was little trouble industrial wise. Endeavours by Unions to boycott hotels where the Springboks stayed and to prevent workers engaged in activities with the tour were low key and mostly unsuccessful. Tom Sheehy was praised for the liaison he had developed with the Unions over what could have been a risky period but almost without exception all hotel staff worked. HANZ had more concerns with country hoteliers objecting to Rural Fire Brigade canteens where trading illegally was rife and affecting bona fide establishments.

In 1981 too, the Westbrook House floor was sold to the New Zealand Nurses Association in an excellent deal. From the proceeds $100,000.00 was ear marked for financing the new research unit for the Liquor Industry Council.

Vice President Don Davidson of the Totara Lodge Hotel at Trentham died in April 1981 after a short illness and he was replaced by Kevin Fowke. Other identities to pass on were Ron Burk of DB, Jack Pegley from Greymouth, and Sir Bernard O'Connell of Lion.

Although Napier had hosted conferences in previous years, Hastings had their first experience in 1982. One of the trades' great characters Basil Diack, local branch President and national committee of management member, welcomed delegates to sunny Hawkes Bay.

HANZ industrial officer, lawyer and former advocate with the Wellington Employers Association Kelvin Thompson gave an entertaining address with some stern warnings regarding the dangers in the new legislation embodying personal grievances. Businesses could have serious disruptions over disputed dismissals and Thompson warned that every employer and manager had to be right up to speed with the correct process.

Douglas Myers, managing director of Lion made a plea for mature marketing by HANZ members, coupled with contact with customers and a clear cut maintenance of profit and investment. Miss S Duncan, Research Officer of the Liquor Industrial Council, stepped in for a sick Jim Thompson and impressed with an alcohol education film aimed at young people.

Tom Sheehy became Chief Executive on 12 August 1981 following on from Joe Williams who had been in the position since May 1960. One of his first tasks was to respond to a complaint from the Human Rights Commission where some hotels providing entertainment were charging men a different price to the fairer sex. Tom put it before his management committee and the unanimous response was that it was too frivolous to bother with and depicted legal provisions being taken to a ridiculous extremity. There was no further correspondence.

Other developments from the Finance sub committee resulted that there would be no HANZ support for the Managers Committee who needed funds to conduct a finance salary survey. Likewise, a request from the Maori Wardens Association for an annual grant of $32,000 from HANZ was declined and passed on to the Liquor Industry Council for consideration. The LIC wisely advised that help should be sought in the areas where the worst problems were.

The 1982 Budget and the accompanying price freeze effectively prevented all conciliation councils and union negotiations and inevitably caused more union unrest. 24 hour strikes in Auckland and then Wellington caused major problems. The Unions were insisting on $20 minimum rise as soon as the freeze was lifted and Kelvin Thompson estimated that when the freeze did lift the national wage bill would rise by one billion dollars !!

In 1982 the Licensing Control Commission declined an application for a TAB on wholesale premises despite it being quite divorced and separate from the hotel premises. John McGrath appeared for HANZ and scored an important victory but it was obvious that gambling issues were going to surface. The NZ Travel Association requested the HANZ position on Casinos - answer No Policy !

With support from HANZ James McNeish launched his up dated edition of "Tavern in the Town" in 1982 at a function which coincided with a fond farewell to George Edward Harden. Ned Harden , a partner in Wilberfoss and Co had been a long and faithful advisor to HANZ over 3 decades and had a magnificent working knowledge of hotel accounting and profit retention. Early in 1983 Derek Hardcastle also died after having served the Hawkes Bay branch as secretary for over a quarter of a century. Around the same time retired Magistrate Ray Jamieson, the former LCC Chairman and HANZ Disciplinary Chairman passed away as had Don Davidson from his committee. The two other members Ted Butt and Jim McCormack had left the industry so for a dangerously short period the disciplinary committee numbered zero.

Well known Wellington barrister A A T Ellis QC was appointed chairman and Kevin Fowke, Tim Hurley and J Begley formed the new committee. Although there was little work to be done on the committee the same could not be said for the association's legal advocates. John McGrath was again successful with a case at the Kingston Tavern in Central Otago where although probably not a precedent, it was certainly a good result and sorted out the definition of a "Bar" and a "substantial meal". Not so lucky was a Taranaki publican who lost an appeal to his local council against tour passengers on Newmans Buses using his toilets sometimes before hours without buying a drink !!

The Wellington branch did have some success when they brought a private prosecution against super price cutters "Super Liquor Man" for single bottle sales

Not only did the Magistrate reject the pathetic defence plea of inexperienced management but awarded the fines to the Wellington branch.

Some exercises were not so successful. A national eating out week sponsored by HANZ was a dismal failure but a HANZ newsletter devised by Tom Sheehy in cohorts with Civic Press was popular and useful. Not popular at all was random breath testing despite great support for HANZ from Doctor John Bailley now regarded as an international expert on the subject and very much a pragmatist as against some of his hysterical opponents. The self testing "Gizmo" supported by HANZ, where one could judge his or her sobriety in a bar by blowing into the "fine-saver" was popular for a time, until the do-gooders managed to find a fault and have it ousted.

On the financial side a modification of the levy scheme allowed a policy to reserve funds under the watchful eye of the Liquor Industry Council, and a major break through was the appointment of Tom Sheehy to the Hotel Investment Account Advisory Committee. His first task was an approach to the Minister to seek a ruling where taverns could apply for funding for food service alterations.

Chapter 11:

At the 81^st HANZ conference held in Nelson in 1983 there was a lengthy debate on a remit based on a submission put forward at the previous conference for a change of HANZ rules. It was suggested that the committee of management and the Executive Council be abolished and there be direct representation from every branch. 75% majority was required under the rules to make the change and the remit was defeated.

The main feature of the conference was a tourism marketing seminar conducted by Jim Thompson, Hon. Rob Talbot, Minister of Tourism, Neil Plimmer, general manager of Tourist and Publicity and Sonja Stojanovich of the Hotel and Catering Institute Training Board. The theme "Discover New Zealand - Tourism for Tomorrow" was warmly received by delegates.

Criticism was leveled at the number of remits being submitted to the annual meeting. Random stopping was a major issue but many of the remits were hardy annuals that had been thrashed to death year after year.

Back in the Capital day to day matters included an approach from the Maori Wardens' Association for funding by HANZ The sum of $32,000 per annum was sought but the HANZ budget had made no provision for such a grant and certainly could not commit to an annual grant. Wisely, HANZ referred the Warden's Association request to the Liquor Industry Council who suggested that donations should be sought on a regional basis where required.

Tom Sheehy visited a convention in New York late in 1983 and collected some valuable hints on legal and practical administration of hotel and association management. On Tom's return John McGrath had been joined by Alastair Sheriff from Buddle Findlay to assist HANZ with the pressure of legal work. Alistair continues to serve the association to this day. Surprisingly the introduction in June 1984 of voluntary unionism, went smoothly, with valuable assistance from HANZ solicitor Kelvin Thompson, but a law prohibiting union fee deductions without written authorization proved more difficult.

John McGrath was successful in a case featuring Lloyd Morgan's Family Hotel in Lower Hutt, when the Court of Appeal in effect allowed hotels and taverns to apply for food and entertainment licenses following application to the Licensing Control Commission and with some minor modifications concerning the size of the bar and other minor issues.

In 1984 Tom Sheehy was elected to the General Council of the New Zealand Employers' Federation and at the same time John McGrath was appointed Pro-Chancellor of Victoria University. Former Gisborne Magistrate Max Willis took over the chairmanship of the Licensing Control Commission.

Industrial relations were not good however. A strike at Dominion Breweries lasted 4 weeks and many establishments were completely without draught beer. Ironically, DB head Jim Fletcher - later to be brutally murdered by an intruder in his Bay of Plenty beach home - had been in discussions with HANZ on re-structuring, unhappy about the ratio of DB participants in industry administrative positions. With the crisis within his firm Fletcher appealed to HANZ to assist with an injunction to break the strike but when it was found there were insufficient grounds for such a process, relationships became strained.

Dominion Breweries main concern evolved around their belief that HANZ paid too much attention to the retail liquor area and neglected accommodation. Tim Hurley had been extremely active in this area, traveling to Japan in the interests of tourism, and with Rob Talbot looking at approval to bring THC into metropolitan areas. In due course they convinced DB and the issue went away.

President Gerry Power welcomed delegates to the 1984 conference at the Kingsgate in Auckland with another first for HANZ. Auckland's Mayor Catherine Tizard (later Dame Cath and Governor General of NZ) was the first ever woman mayor to open a HANZ conference, but as president Gerry quietly observed " I'll bet she won't be the last !!"

There was high praise for the new "Hospitality" magazine introduced by David Conway, and also for Jim Thompson's Liquor Industry Council brochure "Towards a unified approach to Alcohol."

Sadly well known former North Auckland representative footballer and HANZ stalwart Maurice Marinkovich took ill at the conference and died in Auckland Hospital.

On a happier note HANZ received some pleasant publicity when vice president Devon Standen from Hamilton reported that the Waikato branch had raised $7,000 for a computer for IHC, and Tim Hurley's Wanganui branch had purchased two spiral stretcher units for helicopter use in serious accidents. Not to be outdone Wellington branch had raised in excess of $46,000 to furnish a wing at the new Mary Potter Hospice, all raised from the local branch "Jars in Bars' scheme, and a charity parachute jump by 30 of the Capital's publicans. They were all given souvenir T-shirts with "I'VE HAD MY FIRST JUMP" across the back, and the conservative Auckland "Herald" featured the group, backs to the camera, on the front page !! It is worthy of note that all of these charity projects were before the days of Pub Charity.

In an ironic and sad twist HANZ on a national basis were arranging a charity sponsorship for a non stop flight around the New Zealand coast in a Microlite aircraft when the pilot was killed during practice. The event was abandoned

Around the board table at the regular meetings of the Executive Council and the committee of management, reservations were made by experienced and respected hoteliers about the problems HANZ could well be facing. It is quite apparent from the meeting minutes that some members were openly critical about the cavalier fashion in which some of these apparent problems were being addressed. National treasurer Cliff Boyle from a highly respected hotel family in the deep south, repeatedly warned about travel costs and the cost of having so many sub-committees. Another experienced campaigner Hawkes Bay hotelier Bill Ward, whose family has been involved in hotels for almost a century in Wellington and other parts of the North Island, warned about supermarkets selling Kentish Ale and said that the next product on the shelves would be light beer. How right Bill was.

Bill Ward was also aware of some supermarkets giving away a 250ml bottle of wine with meat specials and eventually a prosecution was bought. It was a long involved process and the power of the large food distributors soon became apparent, as did the obvious liaison they were forming with the major liquor producers. In the end the charges were withdrawn but the practice ceased for the meantime.

Life member and past president Frank Drewitt had yet another farewell in 1985 when he retired from his "retirement" job at the James Cook Hotel having been actively engaged in the industry for six decades. Harold Innes of Waikato Breweries, the promoter of the ill fated Milk Biscuit Appeal, died in 1985 as did one of the trade's great identities Jim O'Neill, Snr., of the Grand Hotel in Levin. O'Neill had been a brewer in Wellington and Palmerston North and claimed a doctorate from a German university as well as academic qualifications from his native Ireland. He was a legend at the Grand for years. His son Jim took over but sadly died suddenly a few years after his father.

For some years Tom Sheehy had negotiated a deal with the Licensing Trusts whereby limited information, particularly on industrial and wage matters, was supplied by HANZ to Trust outlets for an overall figure of $5,000 per annum. It was felt that an increase was due and the arrival of John Allan McPhee as Chief Executive Officer of the Licensed Trusts Association seemed a good time to make the move. McPhee had a wealth of background in the industry in the retail sector and after his long stint with the Trusts, he became overall manager of the Trust gaming operations when poker machines were legally introduced.

Ian Bray, then a representative of the Tourist Hotel Corporation on the committee of management , while praising the seminars held on wage and industrial matters raised the issue of HANZ staff, and indeed managers, needing to be more professional to combat the pressure of the unions. Bray predicted, correctly as it turned out, that the review of liquor legislation about to be set up in 1985, would be more thorough and detailed than the 1974 review had been.

Sir George Laking chaired the working party, and after months of deliberation his committee was eventually named. Alan Dormer, a specialist liquor law lawyer from Auckland was joined by Alma McMillan from Auckland , Dorothy Horsman of Dunedin and Wellingtonian Patricia Brockie. John McGrath and Alastair Sherriff represented the association.

The rapid changes in the hotel sector, particularly since 10pm closing, were still causing many problems for HANZ. The Department of Internal Affairs, before the arrival of the pokies, conducted a massive investigation particularly in the Auckland area, on the use of poker game video machines in bars. Although it was claimed the use was contrary to the Gaming and Lotteries Act, police investigated and no charges were laid.

The introduction of the metric system had caused problems apart from the ones mentioned earlier in this history. The transition to metrics coincided with a large shift from tanks to kegs, especially in the new caf￩ type of establishment and the virtual abolition of the infamous "beer barns". The popular measure for the keg was 50 litres with a 30 litre container arriving later to accommodate the slower selling boutique beers. This left thousands of kegs from the 4 and half gallon and nine gallon range, and even some of the older eighteen gallon monsters, discarded and probably worthless. There seems to be no answer to where they all went. It is well known that many of the old five and ten hogshead (270 gallons and 540 gallons) draught beer tanks went to wineries for fermenting and maturing purposes but the traditional four and half gallon party keg and the rest of the range seem to have disappeared forever.

When Mr A A Ellis QC was elected to a Judge of the Supreme Court it was necessary for him to resign as chairman of the HANZ disciplinary committee but the appointment of a successor was held up as the Minister of Justice of the day wondered about the usage of the committee and was it all worth while. Eventually Wellington solicitor Mr D J White was appointed in his place.

The 1985 conference was held in the Te Anau Hotel in the beautiful scenic south. The Conference was opened by the Hon. Warren Cooper who had previously opened a HANZ conference at Queenstown in his capacity as Mayor of that town. Mr Cooper outlined his proud family association with the industry and complimented the members on the great strides the hotel sector had taken in recent years. The enthusiasm he portrayed was quite at odds with his attitude in later years when as Minister of Internal Affairs he frustrated the entire industry with his indecision after the introduction of gaming machines. After months of work by HANZ and various Government departments, legislation was finally drafted that suited all parties but before it could be put to the vote the Minister directed that the statute be shredded.

Kevin Fowke stood down as a vice president and was replaced by long serving Buller hotelier and former representative rugby player J Ross Burrow. Ross had been a member of a combined West Coast - Buller side who had performed credibly when beaten by the powerful 1956 touring Springbok side.

Surprisingly long standing senior vice president Fred Moynihan from Central Otago was defeated for the position by Tim Hurley but remained a vice president. The senior vice president post was something of an enigma. It was only introduced in 1971 and Arthur McGregor was the first office holder, only to be beaten for the presidency by Bill Thomas a year later. Gerry Power took the position when McGregor became president in 1977, but when Gerry began his long rein at the top in 1979 Fred Moynihan took the senior vice president's job until 1985 when he too was overlooked by the delegates in favour of Tim Hurley, who like Fred Moynihan never made the top job either.

In a year of upsets Jim Thompson was not re-appointed to ALAC but was kept busy with the reconstruction of the Liquor Industry Council. On the licensing side a Wellington test case held that a tavern that closed at 5pm on a Friday could operate with a food and entertainment license until 3am the following morning. There appeared to be no problems either about the installation of TAB's in licensed premises apart of course from the ongoing hassle with the size of the deposit and the percentage payable to the operator.

In 1986 Dennis McGrath, the first chairman of the HANZ disciplinary committee died, and like his father before him had served the association well. Graeme McKay manager of Wellington's St George Hotel joined the HANZ staff, and the national treasurer Cliff Boyle stood down after a fine record of service to both the Southland branch and at national level.

The 1986 conference at Palmerston North welcomed past president and life member Bill Thomas as a guest. After a serious illness Bill had retired to live in nearby Levin. Tom Sheehy and Alistair Sherriff were praised profusely for their contribution to the violence enquiry chaired by Sir Clinton Roper and the contribution and co-operation of many hoteliers who gave evidence was acknowledged. Concern was raised over weekend penal rates given that the industry was now virtually a seven day one, and was the cause of a futile strike by the Hotel Workers Union. HANZ received great support from the hotel owning companies.

The conference also featured a hotel industry training presentation and a film entitled "In search of excellence - the value of training" was well received. Buller and West Coast delegates raised the issue of the price differential in tank and keg beer which in their area stood at 18 cents per litre, a figure disputed by brewery representatives at the conference but later ascertained to be actually more than that figure in some areas. An immediate adjustment was made.

Basil Logan addressed the conference in his capacity as Bank of New Zealand manager of the forthcoming America Cup Campaign and president Gerry Power presented him with a HANZ cheque for $100,000 as an investment in the bank's challenge bonds. When asked what he thought the result would be, Logan replied "for me personally, either a knighthood or manager of the BNZ in Ruatoria !"

Tim Hurley reported on the Bacardi Cup, the prestigious trade bowling tournament in the industry hosted that year in Greymouth. The popularity of the event was such that Tim reported that there were only certain centres where the tournament could now be held.

The new treasurer John Wimsett, a former Wellington detective sergeant who was to later make his mark in the gaming industry in New Zealand and abroad, was quick to pick up from where Cliff Boyle had left off and it was apparent that there was a mood for a restructure of HANZ. There were no fewer than 8 sub-committees with the various chairmen reporting at every meeting and while there were some serious issues like finance and industrial matters which did require sub committee input, some felt that some stream lining was necessary.

The wage round negotiations were a tedious process. Assessors on both sides gathered - usually in a dilapidated South Auckland Hotel known as the "Lange Hilton" - for two or three days of perpetual bartering until an agreement was reached. In 1986 the award was settled after two days at a 7% increase after the Union had asked for 7.5%. Strategies were worked out before hand and there was always a "plan B" in case talks broke down. The HANZ or employers team was well lead by Tom Sheehy, Kelvin Thompson and Tim Hurley with support from Mike Hoy or Ian Bray from THC, Kevin McKenzie of Lion, Greg Mulvey from the Trusts and Paul Bell from the Employers Association, among others including HANZ executive. Because of the long sessions it was necessary to have a reserves bench of impact negotiators to bring on at critical stages!. The Union team was led by the likeable Rick Barker, a current MP.

In other developments GST was introduced with surprisingly little fuss, due entirely to the excellent work that HANZ had done in preparing the trade for the rather momentous change. Internal Affairs Minister Peter Tapsell (later Sir Peter, MBE) looked at freeing up the restrictions of gaming machines in hotels providing there was no personal gain and the proceeds went to charity.

In Timaru a hotelier refused to serve four gang members who in turn took a private prosecution against him. Alistair Sheriff appeared for HANZ and won what turned out to be a valuable precedent in later legislation following the working party on liquor, in the area of governing the right to serve and the need to have a public bar.

Jim Thompson and John McGrath were also involved in the submissions to the working party on Sunday trading, liquor in supermarkets, the drinking age and many political factors. The Fair Trading Act looked at unfair practices and "bait" advertising , and the Commerce Commission produced a booklet on the new commerce regulations clearly setting out the provisions of competitive marketing associated with fair and honest business practices.

HANZ made application for the installation of Lotto outlets in selected premises but although there were 540 Lotto machines issued throughout the country it was made quite clear that none would be going into hotels and taverns. In addition the Commerce Commission again warned that drinking vessels were to be named in line with their litreage content, and not referred to as pints or quarts.

There were some good things happening. John McGrath was made a Queens Counsel and received warm appreciation from the trade, and the Public Relations committee produced a special HANZ monogrammed tie in green, blue and grey.

As well HANZ sponsored a Central Institute of Technology Course in hotel management and presented the top three students with New Zealand landscape paintings and cheques. Mark Gregory a chef from de Brett Hotel in Auckland was already competing in the United Kingdom in the international cuisine catering finals with the help of a grant from HANZ.

In addition Industrial Officer Kelvin Thompson was awarded a Prince Philip Scholarship to study for two months at Cornell University in New York, and Tim Hurley won the prestigious 1987 Newmans Award for service to the accommodation industry, to go with the OBE he had been honoured with a few years before for his contribution to tourism. And HANZ were keeping up with the times with the purchase of their first fax machine.

On a more serious note Doctor Michael Bassett, Minister of Health, sought assistance from HANZ in coping with the AIDS epidemic. A special committee had been set up by the American Hotel Association such was the concern of their members. A request to have condoms in every room did not go down well with HANZ, but support was offered and an undertaking to gauge tourism trends was pledged.

In July 1987 a special general meeting was held to clarify HANZ Rule 20 (b) on eligibility to hold executive office. There was some concern regarding the number of members on the executive council and committee of management who were not "active" in the industry. It was decreed that to hold office in HANZ one had to be actively engaged in the industry, or

had a minimum of 10 years involvement in management in the industry, or had no less that 20% financial stake in an establishment, and had no other full time employment.

However, later in the year at the 1987 conference held in the Limes Conference Room at the Christchurch Town Hall, there were more dramatic developments. President Gerry Power had predicted a few years before when the Auckland conference was opened for the first time ever by a woman, that there would be more women opening conferences before too long. In Christchurch the honour went to Mrs Margaret Murray, chairperson of the Christchurch United Council. She was introduced by Canterbury president and long serving HANZ stalwart Ian Robertson, and she praised the administration and leadership of HANZ. Gerry also acknowledged the presence of Ida Gleeson recently elected a life member of the Manawatu- Rangitikei branch, and the first woman life member in the history of HANZ at branch level.

Colin Walker, executive director of the Australian Hotels Association addressed conference as did Hon Phil Goff, Minister of Tourism. He announced the release of the "Taste NZ" campaign promoting local cuisine, and a joint Tourist and Publicity and HANZ project , the Country Pub Scheme. Neither was an outstanding success and the latter had little support and was subsequently abandoned.

Maurice Hayes of Auckland, attending his first conference, expressed concern at the accounts and predicted a major shortfall. John Wimsett and his predecessor Cliff Boyle had been warning about too many committees and travel and accommodation expenditure, but there had been genuine attempts to restrain costs. The drama began when John Wimsett announced that there would be modifications to the levy system. Lion and Magnum had informed HANZ that their hotel and tavern units were prepared to pay only a flat rate of $1000 per unit instead of the 0.45 cents in the dollar levy on purchases, which had been the lifeline for HANZ for many years.

All other establishments were to pay the levy to a maximum of $3,000 per year and while it was acknowledged that both the major players were in fact the biggest contributors to the levy scheme, there were many independent owners and operators who had been very loyal to HANZ, and were not at all happy.

A subsequent meeting with the president, treasurer, and Dennis Pickup, managing director of Hancock and Co., resulted in the matter being put on hold until March 1988, but it was apparent that a major overhaul was imminent. Auckland, led by Maurice Hayes and Garry Inglis gave notice that their branch would be submitting a paper to look at the overall restructuring of HANZ from an administrative and financial perspective.

The following year Hayes was elected to the Executive Council and as the 1980's drew to a close it was apparent that there were major changes ahead. The era of mergers and deregulation had arrived and the committee of management were urged to take urgent action.

There were plenty of other issues as well. Maramarua publican Chris Bush was shot dead in his "Red Fox" tavern on Labour weekend 1987 and HANZ posted a reward of $15,000 for the capture of the killers. In Wanganui armed robberies were rife and HANZ put up another $5000 to help with the apprehension of the culprits. The rewards were never claimed. Tom Sheehy introduced a trespass notice, nick-named the "bluey" to assist hoteliers in their campaign against organised crime and gang infiltration of licensed premises, and it fulfilled a useful purpose.

Long serving Canterbury branch chief executive Robin Broom retired in 1987 and was presented with his company car. He had been a loyal and capable HANZ employee for many years and despite ill health carried out his duties efficiently to the end. He died shortly after and the Christchurch secretary Julie McNamara subsequently took over his position. The trade lost another great supporter around the same time with the death of the Hon. Norman Jones MP for Invercargill and the trade also farewelled Bob Cuthill who retired as Southland secretary after serving for over 25 years. Bob's father had served in the position before him.

Another major development was just around the corner. HANZ formed a registered chartable organization under the name of Pub Charity after discussion with Internal Affairs and the government. A High Court decision by Justice John Jeffries decreed that all current gaming machines in hotels and taverns were illegal, and a process began that would make probably the biggest impression in the history of the hotel industry. Initial rules indicated that there would be a maximum of eight machines per site and a top pay-out of $100, plus several other rules and regulations. It was hoped that licenses would be issued on 1^st March 1988 and operations in fact began in May 1988.

HANZ Chief executive Tom Sheehy appreciated the benefit to his members of having legalized gaming machines and gathered the support of HANZ who settled the Trust with a grant of one thousand dollars. Tom Sheehy fought relentlessly and against considerable odds to get the process under way and a tangible reward was the issue of Licence Number One when the industry was legalized. It was a magnificent achievement.

The original trustees were Gerry Power (chairman), Tom Sheehy, John Wimsett and Alastair Sherriff and the current board is Maurice Hayes (chairman), Bill McLean, Barry Rozynski and Bill Brien. After the first 31 weeks of operation proceeds were $4.4million with 63% identified as having been returned for community projects. Pub Charity had 700 machines on sites and needed more but supplies were limited. The response from the customers was unbelievable and hoteliers were reporting that gaming proceeds were greater than bar takings.

In less than a decade New Zealand had come from one of the most over regulated countries in the world to one of the least. The deregulation era had well and truly arrived.

31 October 2002