NZ a country without alcohol soon? Nooooooo

**markh14** · 18th February 2010, 21:01

Wow i can't believe what i just read. Wellington city councillors want a City-wide Alcohol ban:

http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post...wide-booze-ban

No more picnics in parks with alcohol and alcohol on beaches. I hope this does not become law because i will miss alcohol in public when i'm in wellington. Police:

he accepted that even people drinking responsibly in public places, such as at picnics in parks, on beaches and in the green belt, would now be acting unlawfully

Are the councils and government doing these things to try and ban Alcohol one day?
I hope they're not. I think because the Police can't keep up with the crime because they don't have enough resources, that's why they want the ban. If the police don't have enough resources i think that would mean either lack of people joining the cops or recruitment people are not doing their job good enough.

Innocent people should not be punished because of lack of resources.

I am hopeing someone will start a petition to the Wellington city council and tell them not to impose a city-wide alcohol ban, by using their own website here:

http://www.wellington.govt.nz/haveyo...ions/index.php

I can't create the petition because i'm not from wellington, so if someone else created it that would be great. Good on Wellington city council for having a petition feature on their website ! lol

By the way, if you are from Christchurch like me and you don't like the proposed "Cruising" bylaw you can now have your say here:

http://www1.ccc.govt.nz/haveyoursay/...?ConsultId=687

I told them I don't want the bylaw because there are already laws to stop boy racers from speeding and racing and so on. Banning cruising is taking away fun from innocent people. Cruisers are rate payers too. The road is not just for people who want to drive to/from work.

**JimO** · 18th February 2010, 21:29

punish the many because of the sins of the few its the kiwi way

**Mikkel** · 18th February 2010, 21:32

Well, the best way for the law to shoot itself in the foot is to instate laws that it neither can nor want to enforce. Idiocy like that is what makes anarchy seem palatable to some...

**Milts** · 19th February 2010, 01:13

Originally Posted by jimjim

punish the many because of the sins of the few its the western way

FYP.
I seriuosly doubt this will be passed. And if it does, I wouldn't be surprised if some cops overlooked obviously low-risk groups/people drinking on the beach. At the Botanical Gardens during the January music series the cops regularly walked past families/small groups of quiet people who were openly drinking wine and beer. Some of them really do use discretion, and that number would probably increase in the unlikely event of this becoming law.

**Ixion** · 19th February 2010, 01:27

A legal system which relies on the police "overlooking" people who are actually breaching the law but who the police think are gemutliche is a legal system that is in no degree at all separated from the third reich. Ask youself - " these people are drinking , but they look OK " . How is that differentiated from " these peole don't _look_ jewish " ?

**Trudes** · 19th February 2010, 05:10

TBH I don't think it' such a bad thing. Public drunkeness is a big problem in Wellington, you only need to wander down Courtney place on a Saturday night (well, most nights) to see some strange and ugly sights, and try having an accident or emergency after 9pm, you wait forever at A&E because of all the pissed fools who have fallen over with bottle in hand etc. I know it's 'ruining everyone's fun', but why do you need to walk about with a beer in your hand? NZ has a drinking culture that isn't pretty or constructive..... and if it gets the bums out of the central city drinking, pissing and shitting on the streets then I'm all for it.

**mister.koz** · 19th February 2010, 05:51

Originally Posted by Trudes

TBH I don't think it' such a bad thing. Public drunkeness is a big problem in Wellington, you only need to wander down Courtney place on a Saturday night (well, most nights) to see some strange and ugly sights, and try having an accident or emergency after 9pm, you wait forever at A&E because of all the pissed fools who have fallen over with bottle in hand etc. I know it's 'ruining everyone's fun', but why do you need to walk about with a beer in your hand? NZ has a drinking culture that isn't pretty or constructive..... and if it gets the bums out of the central city drinking, pissing and shitting on the streets then I'm all for it.

I'd have to agree... NZ's drinking culture is out of control... you should see hamilton at 2am (sober), its nothing short of completely pathetic.

**davereid** · 19th February 2010, 06:30

Originally Posted by Ixion

A legal system which relies on the police "overlooking" people who are actually breaching the law but whom the police think are gemutliche is a legal syst that is inno degree at all searated from the third reich. Ask youself - " these peole are drinking , but they look OK " . how is that differentiated from " these peole don't _look_ jewish " ?

It also gives police powere of search and siezure that Hilter would have been proud of. Police can search you or your car, on a whim, just for being in the alcohol free zone. Which of course is all of Wellington.

**mister.koz** · 19th February 2010, 06:39

Originally Posted by davereid

It also gives police powere of search and siezure that Hilter would have been proud of. Police can search you or your car, on a whim, just for being in the alcohol free zone. Which of course is all of Wellington.

I see how thats a bit of a concern but realistically who cares? If you don't have anything illegal in your car then why would it be a bother. If the cops suspect you of having class A drugs in your car then they can search it, if they find anything else while searching then they can punish you for it.

The only thing this changes is that they would be able to search your car if they thought people were drinking (or had open bottles) in the car.

**freedom-wedge** · 19th February 2010, 06:53

Originally Posted by Mikkel

Well, the best way for the law to shoot itself in the foot is to instate laws that it neither can nor want to enforce. Idiocy like that is what makes anarchy seem palatable to some...

grins, a wise observation

pedro

**Genestho** · 19th February 2010, 07:07

NZ's Drinking Culture has been estimated between 1 and 4 Billion in costs, most of the Burden being Injuries.

Estimation taken from the consultation paper on the National Alcohol Plan released in August 08.
Interesting Background info and Rationales for what we are starting to see implemented

Also, emergency rooms in the main centres are swamped with drunks, which waste valuable resources and time...

Alcohol related trauma is the leading cause of death in the under 25 bracket.
The harm caused by alcohol across the community is overwhelming. And the aim of the NAAP is to reduce tolerance and harm.

**freedom-wedge** · 19th February 2010, 07:10

Originally Posted by mister.koz

I see how thats a bit of a concern but realistically who cares? If you don't have anything illegal in your car then why would it be a bother. If the cops suspect you of having class A drugs in your car then they can search it, if they find anything else while searching then they can punish you for it.

The only thing this changes is that they would be able to search your car if they thought people were drinking (or had open bottles) in the car.

the people being detained and searched will care, theres a big difference between class a drugs and a can of tui, I see theres a problem and I,m behind getting it sorted but these sort of solutions can be, using the powers already in place. Nothing good will come of empowerment when the entity has sole digression to use or not to use that legislation, even your good self might react to being stopped and asked if they can search your car for alcohol, you might react negatively to a particular line of questioning on the side of the road, the situation becomes enflamed and then there are many scenarios that might be played out. Its all hypathetical I know but people need to think about implications of actions and reaction.

pedro

**The Everlasting** · 19th February 2010, 07:11

Doesn't auckland already have a 24hour alcohol ban?

I guess it's Wellington's turn.

**freedom-wedge** · 19th February 2010, 07:12

Originally Posted by Ixion

A legal system which relies on the police "overlooking" people who are actually breaching the law but whom the police think are gemutliche is a legal syst that is inno degree at all searated from the third reich. Ask youself - " these peole are drinking , but they look OK " . how is that differentiated from " these peole don't _look_ jewish " ?

I think someone just switched on the light,