PUBLICANS AND THE LIQUOR LAWS.

Evening Post, Volume LX, Issue 18, 21 July 1900, Page 7

PUBLICANS AND THE LIQUOR LAWS.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir — As I see the licensing laws are likely to come up for discussion shortly, and as our Premier has expressed his intention of doing something to remove some of the oppressions under which licensees at present suffer, I should .ike j to sugge&t the, following amendments us , being likely to help in benefiting the trade: — 1. That Licensing Committees shall reluse license to any house where tenant has not a bona fide lease. 2. As. 1 am informed that present leases contain a clause by which the brewers (as owners or first lessees) may, on giving the licensee one month's notice in writing, resume and take possession, and terminate the lease, I would suggest that a bona fide lease shall be one which contains no o.auses of the above nature, and shall give the lessee undisputed possession for the full term of the lease, on his fulfilling . the ordinary and usual covenants. 3. That the rents of hotels shall be fixed on a fair basis, by a Board oi four members, two to be chosen by the lessee and two by the owners ; in the event of any disagreement the question to be submitted by them to a Judge of the Supreme Court for settlement. The amount of rent to be paid shall be settled by re-assessment at the termina- j lion of each .ease, and the tenant shall have the first offer of taking up the new lease under the re-assessment. 4. That the rent shall be a fair and reasonable price for the lease, and that no extra amount, as a bonus, shall be demaioaea or paid. There are several