THE LIQUOR QUESTION.

Auckland Star, Volume XXIX, Issue 148, 25 June 1898, Page 3

THE LIQUOR QUESTION.

DEPUTATION TO THE PREMIER

(By Telegraph-—Press Association.)

WELINGTON, this day

A deputation from the New Zealand Alliance and other Temperance bodies waited on Mr Seddon.

Mr Atkinson said the particular object of the deputation was to urge on the Government the filling- up of certain gaps in the laws as they at present stand, ami which were really altogether apart from questions of licensing or prohibition. The Alliance. wanted alteration of the law in regard to the removal of licenses, and also

suggested that the appointment of scrutineers at licensing elections should be allowed. They also urged that the, licensing law of New Zealand should be made similar to the English law by makfug the customer liable for breaches of the law in being on licensed premises alter hours as well a.s the publican.

Mr Seddon expressed his own opinion on the questions submitted to him, but could not give definite replies, a.s he would have to lay them before .Ministers. Uncertainty a.s to the treatment such a measure wouh. receive and the length of time its discussion would occupy were the reasons for hesitancy on the part of the Government in deciding- as to bringing in a Licensing Bill or not this session, lie quite agreed that removals of licenses were a fraud upon the law, and the Act should be made clear on the subject, if both parties had the right to appoint scrutineers none could complain. He thought it would be as well if the law were altered so as to make the customer a.s well as the hotelkeeper responsible for a breach of the law with regard to trading after hours. He also thought bottle licenses ought to be done away with.

Mr Atkinson said the Temperance party proposed on their own behalf to introduce their Model Local and Colonial Option Bill.