IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT.

Press, Volume LXI, Issue 11875, 23 April 1904, Page 7

IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT.

THE LICENSING BILL. A HEATED DEBATE. United Freu JUaOoiation—by Electric Telegraph—Copyright. LONDON, April 21. Mr AkersJQragUe, following the recommendations of-the Royal Commission, introduced a Licensing BUI, based on the principle that the Trade must compensate publican* whose licenses were taken away solely on the grounds of publio policyMoney is to be raised on the basis of the annual value of licensed premise* by a graduated duTy imposed, tanging from £1 to £150 a year. The maximum amount to be raised per year ie £1,000,000. The measure provides that the compensation shall be the difference between the value of the licensed premises and th« value of premise* without a license. The. Quarterly Sessions are given the aole power of refusing renewal* or transfers on the grounds of publio policy, and are also given power to impose and distribute contributions from the Trade for the purpose* of compensation. • Sir Wilfrid Laweon said that the measure endowed a monopoly, converting the annual leasehold into a freehold. Sir H. Campbell-Bannerman indicated hi* strenuous opposition to the Bill, and said that it was a timid concetmon for party purposes to a powerful trade. Mr Balfour deprecated the imputation of the meanest motives to the Government. The 'Opposition, treated the publican like a wild beast to be hunted down. The .Bill waa read the first time by 314 votes to 147.