THE LIQU

Auckland Star, Volume XXIV, Issue 222, 19 September 1893, Page 5

THE LIQU

BEFORE

THE BILL PASSED.

(by telegraph.— parliamentary

REPORTER.)

"Wellington, this day, When Sir Patrick Buckiey moved the third reading of the Alcoholic Liquor Sale Coo--trol Bill in the Council yeetorday, Sir G. Whitmoro moved " that the measure borecommitted in order that clauso 8, which provides for tho substitution of the word ' doctors ' for that of ' ratepayers' in tbo Licensiug Acb, should bo excised."

Dr. Graco, who followed our one and only General, gave notico that if the Bill were recommitted ho would make ib his business to endeavour to gob tho clauses bringing clubs under the Licensing Acb reinserted.

Tho Hon. Roynolda wished the Bill should be recommitted for a general examination of its clauses, but he mentioned one or two special provisions in tho meusure which he desired to see amended.

Section 24 was tho one especially displeasing 'to the Hon. Stevens. He considered that in many caseß it was very hard that a tenant of licensed promises should suffer through his license being taken away because of the faulc of the licensee.

The Hon. Bowen spoke briefly and sensibly against recommittal, while the Hon. Kerr was strongly in favour of ib. He thought that the Club clause was tho kernel of tho measure, and when ib was out the Bill was empty of all that is valuable. He seemed to know much about clubs, bub nothing good.

Sir Patrick brought a brief discussion to a head by suggesting that tho Bill should be allowed to pass its third reading, and whatever differences of opinion might oxisb regarding certain of its clauses could be settled by conference. He had no doubb that the course he propoaod was the propor one. The Bill, Sir Patrick pointed, out, was a measure of no little importance, and he hoped tho Council would agree with him that ib was best to have the* questions involved settled now rather than? have them raised ab the general election. An esteemed friond had told him that he did not know what he was doing in bringing forward such a Bill. That gentleman had told him that he must nob touch hotel property because in Dunedin one-half of tho public houses belonged to the Church. This statement of tho Attorney-General created a good deal of laughter, and though it was evidently partly jocular thero were cries of " Name, name." Sir Patrick did not hesitate, but at once mentioned tho Hon. Mr Reynolds.

That gentleman objected most decidedly to the joke. He never had made a statement. What he had said was thab there was one hotel owned by the Church, and he had explained that it was quite by an accident, but such waß tho c-i&e. When the Church property was lfiased, unfortunately no provision had been made in covenant!? to prevent the erection of licensed premises on tho ground.

Sir Patrick laughingly admitted that his honourable friend was quite correct in what he said, and the incident pasßed quickly.

The Speaker then put the third reading, coupled with the amendment for recommittal, with the result that the Bill was victorious by 28 to 10 vofcos. The measure was then passed.