LICENSING LAWS

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 51, Issue 206, 13 June 1931, Page 2

LICENSING LAWS

MORE RIGID ENFORCEMENT.

REQUEST BY THE ALLIANCE. (Per Press Association). WELLINGTON, June 12. A large deputation from the annual meeting of the New Zealand Alliance waited upon the Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. G. W. Forbes, to-dtiy in reference to several ‘ aspects of the licensing laws. It asked amongst other things that the existing licensing laws should he consolidated into two sections, one dealing with the referendum and the other with the regulative previsions, that the law relating to illegal trading should lie more rigidly enforced, that the Minister for Customs .should he empowered to refuse to grant a license for a brewery, that motorists found drunk in charge of vehicles should be more sternly dealt with, that the Government should undertake educative work in regard to the effects of alcohol, and that action should be taken regarding liquor advertisements.

Tn introducing the deputation, the Hon. L. M. Isitt said it was representative of 300,000 men and women. They were not asking for anything that was extreme, hut their requests would be an answer to those people who claimed that the Alliance was opposed to regulating the liquor traffic. The Rev. J. Blanchard said that at the last annual meeting of the Alliance it was decided to urge on the Government that bars should be closed on statutory weekly holidays and halfholidays. If such a law came into operation, lie claimed it would tend to reduce the amount of drunkenness.

Brewery Licenses. The prime Minister said he. quite recognised thd importance of the matters brought before him. He realised that in some they had) a good deal of cause for complaint. For instance, the question of brewery licenses. Until they tested a case in Court they had an idea tnat the Minister for Customs was in the position of being able to refuse the issue of a license. _As a result of the Court’s decision, it was shown that the power was N not in the •hands of the Minister. Since then he had intimated to anyone who made application for a license that . the Government intended to bring in legislation placing the matter in the hands of the Minister. The question had also been raised whether persons were entitled to distillery licenses in JNew Zealand, hut lie had made it plain that the Government intended to take away any right that might have been thought to exist. He felt that the Government should have discretionary power in such cases. It had been has intention .to bring down legislation fast session, but it had not been possible to prepare a Bill in time,. However, legislation would definitely be introduced next session. So far as the administration of the law was concerned, Mr Forbes said the Minister for Justice was endeavouring to see that the law they had cm the Statute Book in regard to the liquor trade was enforced. He would refer the matter to the Minister for Justice.

The Taxation Aspect.

Mr Forbes went on to- remind the deputation that additional taxation had already been placed on liquor. Voices: Only a half-penny. Mr Forbes: Quite a substantial difference has been made.

Voices': Not enough. _ 1 Mr Forbes: A substantial difference has also been made in other directions. So far as taxation is concerned I don’t remelnher a case previously in which the Government has had to increase taxation at every session of Parliament, but that lias been the lot of the present Government. We have had more than our share of increasing taxation. - It is not altogether the most pleasant thing to have to do. Referring to the question- of illegal trading, Mr Forbes said lie did not know what tlie position was. He would get information from the Minister for Justice. The question of holiday closing -was- another matter. Shops whiohi sold aerated waters and. similar refreshments remained open on holidays. , A voice: They sell innocuous liquor. Mr Forbes: Yes, refreshment.

The question of advertising was one that could well be looked into, said Mr Forbes. They liad to recognise the right of anyone in business to advertise, hut misleading statements should not be allowed. It was recognised there was always a certain amount of word painting indulged in by those who. wrote advertisements. Mr Forbes said lie was in agreement with the deputation, so far as intoxicated! motorists were concerned. No could be too drastic for a, man who endangered the lives of others by becoming intoxicated. They would see to it that provision was made that the punishment for offences would be very drastic indeed. He would take the’ other matters into consideration.