miniatures pulled from store shelves when alcohol will be made available on the street.

Lines Food and Liquor Mart owner Richard Powell told The Royal Gazette that it was alcohol abusers who needed to be targetted by legislation, not normal users.

Mr. Powell's comments come as the Liquor Licence Amendment Act claws its way through the Parliamentary process of becoming law.

"I would like anyone of the members of the House, who all voted for this Bill, to explain the logic of removing miniatures from store shelves, while at the same time extending the hours of availability of alcohol in restaurants, nightclubs and hotels but more importantly on the street,'' said Mr. Powell.

After being passed by the House of Assembly at the end of the last year, the Senate called for the legislation to allow members clubs to open at all hours.

The Bill returned to the House with the amendment and passed last Friday. It will now return to the Upper House.

The Act allows extended opening hours for restaurants, bars and alfresco dining while banning the sale of miniatures from licensed grocery stores.

"Where and what is the logic of removing the miniatures from the grocery store shelves while extending the hours of the restaurants from 9 a.m., yes 9 a.m., until 3 a.m. the following morning,'' continued Mr. Powell.

"The alcoholic won't have to go into a store and buy his nip any more, he can now go to a restaurant at 9 a.m. and drink all he wants under the pretence of eating breakfast.'' Mr. Powell pointed out that legislation could not be used to control what and when people drink, but it could be used to help stamp out alcohol abuse, which, he stressed, he did not support.

The legislation also makes it illegal to have minors on night club premises when liquor is being sold and requires owners to refuse admission to people who cannot produce valid identification. "I see nothing in the amendments to stop the abuse by minors and those who purchase liquor for them, and nothing to help the alcoholic or stop the person who chooses to abuse alcohol,'' said Mr. Powell.

A further amendment includes no opening on Good Friday or Christmas Day instead of all public holidays for certain licence holders but opening within allotted hours for others.

Mr. Powell drew attention to this clause as well and the effect it would have on small businesses such as his.

"After taking away the Sunday business from the small stores, the Government is now putting the final nail in the coffin and taking away the only business we have and that is the public holiday trade.

"This is after making a promise that they would do nothing further to reduce our income.''