ALCOHOLIC LIQUORS BILL.

Press, Volume L, Issue 8582, 8 September 1893, Page 5

ALCOHOLIC LIQUORS BILL.

• : i«» AN IMPORTANT AMENDMENT. (ROX OtTB OOERESPOXDEXT.) WELLINGTON, September 7. Another surprise, even greater than that of this afternoon, Was furnished.at the evening sitting of the Council in connection with the Alcoholic Liquors Sale Control Bill, which came under review in Committee. The face that the Bill had only survived its second reading by a bare majority showed that its passage through Committee was fraught with danger, but it was not expected that the assassin's knife would be successfully applied as soon as the first division was taken. Yet this proved to be the case. The firat half-dozen clauses passed without amendment, that which provides for altering present districts passing unchallenged. Mr McLean said he was anxious to shorten the Bill somewhat by doing away with Licensing Committees and going back to Resident Magistrates. He, therefore, proposed to strike out of clause 6 declaring «vho may be members of a Licensing Committee the following words — "any duly registered elector resident in any district shall be qualified to be elected for such district except as follows." He wished to take the opportunity of congratulating Ministers on their recent appointments to the Magistracy (to which Mr Buckley assented Hear, hear), and they were the best*persons to administer the licensing laws. The Colonial Secretary suggested the postponement of clauses 6 and 7 till Mr McLean had drafted the machinery provisions to take the place of the Licensing Committees. To strike out Licensing Committees would be to affect the principle of the whole Bill. Messrs Phar&ayn and Bonar were convinced of the failure of Licensing Committees, and heartily welcomed the proposal to put the licensing laws in the hands of Resident Magistrates. "Thei-e is a movement known among military men as right about turn," observed Mr T. Kelly. "For the last three weeks we have been warned against altering a single word in a certain Bill for fear of wrecking it in another place, yet it is now proposed to alter the whole principle of this Bill," and the speaker wanted to know if the hon. gentleman in charge was going to accept such a proposal. "There is another military movement," said Sir Patrick, " called left about face, and after I have Consented to postpone the clause members make that movement and proceed to discuss the clause. My object is to carry the Bill through, and I am quite sure that hon. members in another place will never give up the notion of Elective Committees." The speaker went on to say that the suggestion had been made to him that the Bill might be improved in this respect, notwithstanding that the Licensing Committees were 'to be elected. Resident Magistrates might be Presidents of Committees and exercise a judicial mind. (Hear, hear.) He was prepared to give that suggestion a fair Consideration, and .he was not sure that it would not be acceptable to hie colleagues. The elective system ran right through the Bill, so he hoped the Council would not throw out the clause under consideration. The retention of Elective Committees was advocated by Mr Bolt, who said that the whole object of the Bill was leaving liquor control in the bands of the people. It was too late in the day to now go back to a nominative Bench. The Hon. D Stewart was opposed to a nominative Bench. One of the features of the Act of 1881, and of the present Bill, was the right of electors to appoint their own Committee. Mr Shrimski said that the agitation directed against the Licensing Committees was the outcome of the jealoos prohibitionists, who could not secure the elections. Only that afternoon there had been placed in members , pigeon-holes a printed circular with the object Of intimidating those supporting the Bill. The whole thing was venomous abuse ot the Ministry and those Who favoured their BilL But what he wished to direct attention to was that it Contained no imprint, thus proving that the prohibitionists were "a sham, a delusion, and a snare," and were aft insincere in their work that they were ashamed to put the printer's name to a document they circulated. He mentioned this matter as he contended that the man who had printed the circular was liable to have his plant forfeited. And here We had a pleasant interlude while the hon. gentleman walked aoross the floor of the House and handed the circular to Sir P. Buckley, who expressed his surprise that there was no imprint to it, and promised to have enquiries made with a view o a prosecution. Mr McLean pointed out that the position of the Resident Magistrate was secure, therefore they could be depended on to act judicially. These gentlemen would do much justice than Committees elected by interested people. Mr Jenkinson had known elected Licensing Committees who were little better than bodies of corruption. A change in the direction of placing the licensing legislation in the hands of R.M'6. oould not be for the worse. The division was then taken, and the words etruok out by 17 to 15. Up rose Sir Patrick in a very angry mood, and he said—"l move, sir, that you do report progress and ask leave to sit again. Thiais a most important portion of the BilL In fact, it is the principle Of the Bill. I wish my hon. friend joy of the amendment, because he has practically killed this Bill; and some of those whd supported it may find their mistake. As I wish to consider my position, I ask to report progress and leave to sit again," Mr Reynolds thought it a great pity that the Attorney-General should have taken the amendment so much to heart. His own impression was that elected committees had been an egregious failure. Mr McLean explained that he did not wish to act in a hostile spirit and would take a compromise in the way , of putting in an R.M. to act in a judicial capacity. {Hear, hear.) Messrs Kelly and Bonar thought that as the vital principle of the Government measure had been struck out the Colonial Secretary was compelled to consider his position. Progress was at once reported. What the outcome of the vote may be it is difficult to say at present; but as the main feature of the Bill has been struck put, the Council will either have to re-commit the Bill and undo their work, or the measure will be abandoned. The latter seems the most probable solution of the difficulty. In that case the present licensing districts and municipal franchise will be in force for the next triennial election in place of the electoral districts and electoral rolls. Ministers are in a very perturbed state as the result of to-day'e rebuff in the Council, and there is a talk of an appeal to the country on the Liquor BilL That Stout has triumphed in dual eenae is plain, and his position is regarded as stronger than ever. OBIOKBT. . ; -fr— • THE AUSTRALIANS IN ENGLAND. LONDON, September 6. In their second innings the home team have lost five Wicketa for 168 runs. September 7. The following are the principal scores in the second innings of the Englishmen i — Stoddaxt, b Giflfen ... ... 26 Jackson, c Graham, b Giffen._ 68 W. W. Read, b Giffen ... 24 Newhanye Giffen, bTruinble... 37 Peel, c Blackham, b Giffisn ... 31 When eight wickets had fallen for 230 rune the innings was declared closed. Gifien secured si* wickets for 88, Stoddarfc and Jackson severely punished Turner and Bruce at the opening of the innings, but Stbddart lost his wicket immediately Giffen went on. The Cambridge captain again played dashing cricket and kept up his .high average against the Australian bowline? there were ten 4*s in his score. Newham and Peel made a good stand and hit out welL Gunn was splendidly caught before he got set. Upon going in ag&m with 185 to get the Australians failed with the bat, losing hve wickets for 87, and the match was left drawn rather against them. Bannerman was bowled by Peel after staying an hour for 13, but Lyons hit out in his usual aggressive style, and made 47, in which there were nine boundary hito, besides one 5 for a tremendous drive over the ropes. He was eventually bowled by PeeL and Giffen wae caught off the Yorkshire man for 10. A rot then set in, andi the others did nothing. PeeTa tare© wicketa only coat him 2A nasb