The Licensing Bill

Waihi Daily Telegraph, Volume IV, Issue 1101, 23 September 1904, Page 2

The Licensing Bill

Postponed Glauses

Considered and Agreed to by the House

By Tolegrnph.—Press Asoiciation. WmjMhoion. this '"v. Tun Rouse went into coiutaitteo yesterday for further consideration of the Licens. ing Acts Amendment Dill, Tho postponed clauses woro first taken. At clauso 12, wliioli makos provision for changes in electoral districts, so that liconßOs or no licenses, as tho case may bo, may eontinuo in (ho part cut out of the electorate as if no change in tbo boundaries had token place uulil the first valid poll in tho new district comes into force, Mr, Taylor expressed tho opinion that the clause as printed might load to an hotel being iu a district whero no licenses had beon carried, The clause was technically amonded and agreed to, Clause 13, which makes provision for tho manner of taking the first licencing poll in tho districts, was agreed to, with a technical amendment, . Tho noxt clauso considered was 22, which provides that no fresh poll shall bo valid unless the number of valid votes recorded thereat is not less than onohalf of tho number of valid votes recorded at tho voided poles. Mr, James Allen raovod to striko out tho provisio aud insert the following in its place: " Provided that at no such fresh poll shall tho proposal that tho number of licenses existing in the district bo reduced, or that no licenses bo granted in tho district, or that licenses bo restored in tho district, bo deemed to he carried, unless tho number of valid votes recorded in favour of such proposal is not loss than 33 per cent, of tho number of valid' voles recorded at tho voided poll," Mr Taylor suppotlcd Mr Allon's amendment, He pointed out that under the clause as it stood it was possible for the result of the poll to bo governed by those who stayed away in answer to arguments, The Premier said that if there was a roll of 3000, and 1501 persons voted at tho first poll, tho issue could be decided by 752 votes on tho second poll, about a fourth of thoso on the roll. Aftor a lengthy discussion Mr Allen's amendment was lost by 43 votes to 23, and a motion by tho Premior requiring 55 per cent (instoad of SO par cent) to voto at the second poll was agreed to. The clause as amended was thon added to tho Bill. Clause 23, repoaling clauses of past Licensing Acts, was under discussion at the 5.30 adjournment. Tho House resumed at 7.30, In committcoon tho Licensing Bill tho several postpone 1 clauses wero ogrocd to with technical amendments, I'ho House then proceeded to deal with new clauses. A lengthy discussion took place on the new clause proposed by tho Premior to copo with the locker or money box system, in clubs, Considerable opposition was shown to the clause on the ground that it was an mnviirrniUnblo inlc'rforcnco with tho sub**

jec?. Tho clauso was carried by 41 to 24. Mr L L, D. Fraser inovod a now clause dealing with lied houses, but it waa lost ou tlio voices, Mr James Allen moved 4 now clauso providing for a fresh poll in the Bruce. Lost by 30 to 20, On tlio motion of Mr Massoy, a new clauso was added making local authorities who receive a portion of the licenso fees liable to contribute to tlio coat of tho election of licensing committees. Mr. Heiil moved a new clauso requiring bona lUo travellers to sign a declaration. Tlio motion was lost on tlio voices. Mr. Jennings moved a new clauso giving electors in the King Country tho right of voting at the next election on tho question whether licenses should or should not bo granied in that district. This was lost by 85 to 24. On tho motion of Mr, T, Mackenzie a new clause was addod fixing fivo miles (instead of three miles) as tbc distance a trayollcr must have covernd beforo ho is outiiled to a drink on Sundays. A motion by Mr. Willis tomako 10 p.m. the hour of closing all round tho colony was lost on tho voices. A new clause, moved by Mr Taylor, ti limit each hotel to ono bar, was lost by 48 to 18. ' Mr Taylor moved a new clause to pro* hibit tho employmont of barmaids, This was lost by 48 to 11. Mr Bollard moved a new clatiso empowering a Licensing Committee to grant Now Zealand wino licenses, irrespective of the result of a local option poll. This was carried by 89 to 21. Objection was raised thai thisrwas [a catcli vote, and eventually tho clause was struck out on the understanding that the Premier would sonsider tho advisability of bringing down a clauso dealing with Now Zealand wino licenses. A now clauso was added providing that in tho ovent of no license being carried iu Wellington no liquor shall bo sold in Parliamentary Buildings, Tho Bill completed its progreks through eommittco at 4.25., and was reported, with amendment?, Mr Seddon said ho proposod to reconw uiit tho Bill r.C'Xt afternoon to consider certain clauses. The House roso at i.do.