PARLIAMENTARY.

Auckland Star, Volume V, Issue 1391, 25 July 1874, Page 3

PARLIAMENTARY.

[By Electbic Telegraph.]

WELLINGTON. This day. LICENSING ACT. At the evening sitting, after the Public Works Statement, the Premier moved the second reading of tho Licensing Act, 1573, Amendment Bill, briefly explaining its provisions, the chief object of which was to remedy the defects^the previous act. Mr Fox -«uoT.'R'would not oppose the second CjA^-1 rbufc would- endeavour to defp- Usi>js»LO-fl principle of the Bill, which of thcj Bill of last year, >cY 4' 0' aciple of which was placing »—'^jjon^ of the liquor traffic in the jJP v>"^?he people Parliament had in the hav-i^' ' l^ conceded that right, but by a h-jifef-^L-inqinaly denied them proper macg*b/»iigar carrying its provisions into effect. HaK'i!?- machinery been granted the vice of drunkenness would have been greatly diminished, especially in country districts. Why refuse the people control of the Jiquor traffic while entrusting them with the gi eater power of electing representatives, he could incontestibly shew that in Alaine and Massachusetts. prohibitory laws did not prevent houses with the very best class of accommodation, the only difference being that, no liquor was openly sold,while at the same time it decreased drunkenness by nine-tenths. He objected to the Bill on the ground that it made a perfect paradise for publicans. In Committee he would object to the following details : —The validation of the previous ordinances amongst them, the Otago Act, directly in violation of Act of 1873; to allowing refreshment rooms to sell liquor at railway stations. They were abolished on the Caledonian and North British railways. $. great proportion of the railway accidents jvas due to that cause. At Port Chalmers station, the other day, drunken sailors had drawn knives upon each other. He, would propose, as an amendment, to allow females of 21 years of age to vote under the permissive clause to prevent billiardrooms and skittle - alleys in connection with public - houses. They were a fruitful temptation and cause of drunkenness amongst young people. To allow no barmaids under thirty years of age, and prevent them being employed unreasonably long hours ; to place the regulation of 1 oundaries of district in the hands of the inhabitants.

Sir Cracroft Wilson thought the real elements of the failure of last year's- Bill was the difficulty of getting two-thirds of the residents to endeavour to close houses. This was the case in Canterbury.

Mr J. E. Brown gave an instance of drunkenness amongst railway officials through obtaining liquor at railway stations. He objected to the Minister of Work 3 possessing licensing powers. It should be in the hands df the provincial authorities.

Mr J. Shephered considered the Bill an exceedingly useful measure, but would move to strike out the dangerous clause for bottle licenses.

Mr Cuthbertson would oppose the clause Negativing local regulations regarding renewal of licenses.

The Premier replied. He said it was a different matter to place the general power of voting for representatives in the hands of the people, and giving them power to vote in the same upon specific questions which should be determined by representatives of their selected intelligence. The effect of closing refreshment rooms was that employes bought liquor in bottles, and that aggravated the evil. - It was very tyrannical to prevent passengers on long railway journeys from obtaining stimulants which were absolutely necessary to some persons, though he would, admit the Bill was not the most effectual remedy to to be devised, and was prepared to accept considerable modifications to meet the wishes of the House. The only object of the Government in bringing in a Bill was to amend certain deficiencies in tha Bill of 1873.

The Bill was read a second time, and ordered to be committed that day week. A long discussion ensued upon the Municipal Reserveß Bill, which was reported with amendments.

The Electric Telegraphic Act A meadment Bill and Government Insurance and Annuities Bill passed their final stage. The House in committee of supply passed various items without amendment.

The House adjourned at 1.10. la the Legislative Cuuncil the Post Office Savings Bank Bill was thrown out.