A supermarket chain is about to test New Zealand's liquor
licensing laws and could become the first to sell spirits as well
as wine and beer.
The Liquor Licensing Authority is set to hear an application from
Progressive Enterprises to run a liquor outlet under the same roof
as one of its Christchurch supermarkets.
But the idea has led to a lot of debate, especially among
police.
If the supermarket does get the license to sell the hard liquor,
thereby tapping into the multi-million dollar spirit market, the
police say their jobs will just get tougher.
"It flies in the face of everything we're doing across government to reduce alcohol dependency," says Inspector Gary Knowles, the Central City Area Commander.
Police and others also argue it will open the way to dangerously discounted RTD's
"You have a large group of companies and people who have the capability to buy in bulk; they can then discount it to a level which is so low that it makes it attractive to younger people," says Knowles.
Jo Kane, a health advocate, says the decision would be socially irresponsible.
"It's about money, it's about generating more income in those supermarkets without any accountability or responsibility," says Kane.
City officials are also opposing the idea, but consumers don't seem to share the concern.
Many consumers say they are supportive of the idea and some believe it would save one having to jump into their cars and take off to the nearest bottle store.
Plus, they say it would be better if everything was under one roof.
Progressive Enterprises says access to its proposed outlet would be through a foyer and not the supermarket, and it says they take what the law says about the responsible sale of liquor very seriously.
Progressive's competitor, Foodstuffs, has no plans to follow
suit as it already owns stand-alone liquor outlets.
But like others it will be watching Wednesday's hearing
closely.
"This will be a test case; if it does happen then it opens the
flood gates, "says Knowles.
Gates, which police say should be kept closed.
