LIQUOR BILL

Evening Post, Volume XCVI, Issue 136, 5 December 1918, Page 8

LIQUOR BILL

SIX O'CLOCK CLOSING A PROPOSAL IN THE COUNCIL. Tho Licensing Amendment Bill was committed in tho Legislative Council this morning, Sir Francis Bell stated his intention in Committee of moving to add a new clauso with reference to 6 o'clock closing. This clause provided—(l) That 6 o'clock closing bo continued until 30th June, 1920; (2) if National Continuance is carried at tho special licensing poll, then at tho noxt general licensing poll a s;iecuit ballot shall bo taken whether the restricted hours 1 Bhall continue. Consideration of the 6 o'clock closing clause wits postponed in the meantime. In reply to the- Hon To Heu Heu Tuldno, Sir Francis Bell stated tliat it would tie impossible to provide for taking tho rolls of Maoris. Tho Maoris did not vofco by ballot, and tho Maori election's did not take place at the same timo as the licensing poll. He regretted thft>t tho recording of Maori votes conld not be provided for, but tho Maoris had never voted at a licensing poll, so that they suffered no hardship. / Olatwos 23 to 55, dealing with compensation, wero postponed. Sir Francis Bell stated that tho special committee had heard the objections and suggestions for alterations. The Council had no power to increase the possible claim for compensation, but it could bring about alterations if desired by Governor's Message if necessary. As there had been a considerable number of amendments, and these were not printed, consideration was postponed. Tho Council passed all other clauses, and reported progress on the Bill.