There鈥檚 no question sa国际传媒鈥檚 liquor regulations need some rationalizing and updating, but let鈥檚 not be in too much of a hurry to let children into pubs.
The sa国际传媒 Liberal government has been doing strip-tease with its proposed reform of liquor laws, announcing a recommendation here, a recommendation there, coyly holding back on revealing the whole plan at once.
Past liquor restrictions were counter-productive and, in some cases, downright silly, such as the 鈥渓adies and escorts鈥� rule with its separate entrances to beer parlours, a measure dropped in the early 1960s. Those were the days when it was clear the main focus of a local watering hole was drinking, a situation that does not lend itself to moderate behaviour.
But times 鈥� and watering holes 鈥� have changed. Now, the government sees no harm in allowing parents to bring their children with them to the pub or the legion for a meal or a social occasion.
鈥淔amilies should be able to dine together in their neighbourhood pub,鈥� says Premier Christy Clark.
It鈥檚 not a huge change from children accompanying their parents for a meal in a licensed restaurant, which nobody seems to mind. But there, the focus is on the food. Taking children into a place where the focus is on drinking is a disturbing concept. Children learn much of their behaviour by watching their elders.
Some pubs are classy places; some are not. Regulations should keep in mind that some pubs are suitable places for children and others are not, and ensure that the new measures are truly family-friendly.
