Proposed Local Option Bill.

Bruce Herald, Volume X, Issue 912, 8 June 1877, Page 7

Proposed Local Option Bill.

. «. . The Temperance Hall, Dunedin, was filled on Tuesday night last, when the following resolutions were submitted by Dr Eoseby .- — " That in the opinion of this meeting a very large proportion of the vice, crime, disease, poverty, and other social evils which exist in this Colony, are the direct results of the traffic in and the use of alcoholic beverages." Seconded by Dr Bakewell, aud carried. Moved by' Mr J. W. Jago—" That in tbe opinion of this meeting, no Ryatein of licensing laws has yet been effectual for the prevention of those evil 3 to prevent which they were enacted, and that therefore a change is necessary, both in the principle and method of the laws dealing with tbe liquor trade." Seconded by the Rev Mr Haley — in the absence of Dr Stuart — and carried. Moved by Mr Stout — "That, in the opinion of this meeting, the principle embodied in the Local Option Bill is equitable, practicable, and likely to afford tbe public relief from many of tbe evils resulting from the consumption of intoxicating liquors." Mr E. Hay moved as an amendment —'* That, whilst this meeting deplores tbe enormous evils resulting from the immoderate use of alcoholic drink, yet it cannoi approve of any measure which seeks to diiniuieh the evil by closing hotels by tho vote of the majority, without giving compensation to the owners of the houses closed." Mr Watson seconded the amendment, which was lost by an overwhelming majority. The motion was then put and carried, all but about 20 hands being held up in favor of it. Mr Eeunie then moved, Mr Cameron seconded, and it was carried unanimously, — " That the following petition be adopted as expressive of tho opinion of this meeting, and put in charge of Mr Stout for presentation to tbe House of Representatives : — To the Honorable the Speaker and Members of the House of li-presen-"tatives of New Zealand in Parliament assembled : The petition of the undersigned inhabitants of the — — respectfully sbowetb : That your petitioners believe that a very large proportion of the vice, crime, lunacy, poverty and other social evils which exist in this Colony are the direct result of the licensed traffic io alcoholic beverages. That this traffic, the results of which so seriously affect the social condition of the people, is one which should be brought under the complete control of local self-government, and not be allowed in any locality against the wish of the inhabitants. Tbat under the existing licensing system, the traffic in strong drink is established and continued in many localities against the wish of the large majority of the people resident therein. Your petitioners therefore pray that your honorable House will be pleased to grant fuller powers to local self-govern-ment in regard to the liauo? traffic than those presently possessed • and that to this end your honorable House will be pleased to pass a Bill to give to the majority of the inhabitants or ratepayers, as may be deemed expedient, power to veto the carrying on of the liquor traffic in their respective districts, with such machinery as may be necessary and efilcient for bringing the same into operation. And your petitioners, aa in duty bound, will ever pray." ~^— —————— ■— — PM ——MB—— — i l— — — — — — — —