LIQUOR CONTROL

Evening Post, Volume CVII, Issue 146, 21 June 1924, Page 16

LIQUOR CONTROL

BJSHQP OF OXFORD'S BILL,

Far-reaching changes in the licensing laws are proposed in'the Bill providing for the "popular control" of the liquor trade, introduced in the House of Lords by the Bishop of ...Oxford, states the '■Daily Telegraph." In au accompanyT ing memorandum it is explained that the measure gives to the inhabitants of boroughs and counties the right of deciding •periodically whether they are to ljave no change in the conduct of the liquor trade in their area, or whether the trade is to be reorganised, or whether all licenses are to be abolished. Electors, by means of the alternative vote, can vote preferentially in favour of ono choice, and alternatively in favour of.a second one.

If an area votes for reorganisation a central body, called the Board of Management, appointed with the approval of and disiuissible by Parliament, will take over the liquor trade iii the area concerned. This board is not to be a licensing authority; its functions arc to beTJfmiied" to' the production an 4 distribution of intoxicants in those areas which have voted for reorganisation, subject to the supervision of the justices, and of a central;,advisory committee (on which temperance bodies and private traders vrill.be represented)., and of local advisory councils (consisting of licensing justices _aud representatives of .public authorities). In reorganisation areas it ■vvill.be the duty of the'"'local'advisory councils to: notify the Board of Management as.Ttd;. the, number of public-houses i-oquired;pr!their areas, as to where they are ' wanted, ■-.- and as to the numbsis'to b,e.- i closea:ag redundant. The. board till MW i &l'Wio. structural alterations as;'iniay'.be .desired, for the supply of fobdNaml ndn-intosicants, and for the observance-lot. ithe other conditions laid down. 'TheY 'will not take over hotels or clubs 'in reorganised areas, but will supervise them in so far as the sale of intoxicants is concerned.

A;central^.comgensation fund is created. _,into this all profits from the reorganised areas will be paid by the Board of Management. It is also proposed to pay into this central fund the trade levy established by the 1904 Licensing Act. This; fund will be available for the payment of compensation in areas which vote.for no license or reorganisation. Jt will ■. not be under the control of the Chancellor of the Exchequer. JTone of the 'compensation money required will come, from the taxpayer, -and there is no actual; or contingent liability on pubhe funds._ 'Where arr 'area.'votes' for reorganisation i. the owners of properties acquareillwillbe paid off as to capital by means pf annuities, terminable in ' a maximum period of 15 "years. Dnrin<* this-period 5 per cent, interest will be paid: each', year on such part of the capital as has-not then been redeemed. CompensatiofCfor loss .of - employmeni^-de-pend.mg; On', the, nature and length of such. employment—will be paid.