CONTROL OF HALLS.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 171, 21 July 1928, Page 15

CONTROL OF HALLS.

WIDE POWERS PROPOSED. COUNCILS MAY TMPOSK CONDITIONS. (By Telegraph.— Parliamentary Reporter.) WELLINGTON, Thursday. It h*» been discovered that in the Municipal Corporations Amendment Bill there 1" a clause which some member# of Parliament repaid as unnecessarily restrictive, and much may be heard of it when the bill reaches the committee stape. The clause referred to i» number 34. It provides that local authorities may, before licensing a building to be used as a public meeting hall, theatre, music hall, dancing hall, grandstand, or for any public amusement, attach any conditions as may be thought fit with respect to control, management, and use. It also provides that a license may l>e suspended wholly; or for any period, if the licensee has become of bad character since the license was granted. Some members are wondering how this ■ clause came to be included. It certainly gives very wide powers, and it Is contended that local council® have sufficient authority at present. Under tbie clause conditions could be imposed on cabaret proprietors, such as to forbid ordinary facilities for harmless amusement, if a majority of any council were overstrict in their views. According to the phrasing of the clause cancellation of a license could apply for all time, even if the licensee were changed so that the owner of the huliding, rather than the management, would be penalised. j Attempts will be made to have <ne clause deleted or materially altered.