LIQUOR CONTROL

Evening Post, Volume CXXXIX, Issue 99, 28 April 1945, Page 9

LIQUOR CONTROL

TRADE'S SUGGESTIONS

DISTRIBUTION OF LICENCES When concluding his opening of the case for the National Council of the Licensed Trade before the Royal Commission on Licensing in Wellington yesterday, Mr. P. B. Cooke, K.C., summarised the recommendations on behalf of the liquor trade as follows:— That the present national licensing poll be eliminated. That No-licence districts continue to vote as at present on the local issue, and that if any of them show the necessary majority for Restoration, there should be no further poll in that district. That licensing committees make a survey of all hotel licences in their district and report to the Minister of Internal Affairs on the adequacy of the number of licences; whether any licence is redundant; and, generally, as to the requirements of a district for licences. That a licence redistribution board be constituted consisting of a Judge of the Supreme Court, one member nominated by the National Council of the Licensed Trade, and one nominated by the Minister. That reports of licensing committees i be referred by the Minister to the board. That the board have power on due notice to all parties concerned (who are to have the right to be heard) to cancel or accept the surrender of licences that it decided were redundant. - ■ That interested parties have the right of compensation for loss of licences, the claims to be heard, and determined by the board. That the board also determine what new licences should be granted, and where, and notify licensing committees concerned. That licensing committees advertise their intention to grant such new licences and their requirements in connection therewith. That new licences be sold by public auction, but only to bidders previously approved by the licensing committee. That money received from such auction form the licences disposal fund, out of which expenses and compensation will be paid, the balance of the fund being held by the Public Trustee to be available for loans for improvements, to and the re-erection of licensed premises. That interest on loans go to national charities.

That provision be made for districts voting for Restoration.