THE LICENSING LAWS.

Evening Star, Issue 7641, 18 June 1888, Page 4

THE LICENSING LAWS.

TO THE EDITOB.

Sir,—Do you not think it is about time that Parliament should take some steps to ourtail the arbitrary and exorbitant powers vested in our Licensing Committees. As Mr Denniston pointed out yesterday to the Caversham Bench, they have more power at present than even the Supreme Court has. The Committees very often appear to act on the motto of the ' Pinafore' song, ' Never mind the why and wherefore'—that is, never mind whose property is injured, as long as it does not affect a member of the Licensing Benoh. The Caversham Committee remind mo of the man who was prepared to shed the last drop of his brother's blood.

If the members of the Committee had an interest in the property would they have closed the Carlton Hotel ? Are they in earnest when they state that they regret

that the owner and occupier of the property will suffer loss through their action? If the Bench are to have this arbitrary power, why should not the Act be amended sothat the licensing fees paid by the publicans should be applied in compensating those who have been deprived of their licenses, as is done in Victoria ? The Chairman of the Caversham Bench stated that the spending power of the community was more limited than formerly. The public would soon show this by not patronising the hotel, without any assistance from the Licensing Committee. Cannot the Committee see that if they can keep up the depression a little longer all public-houses will be closed, and the business of hotelkeeping gone for ever ?—I am, etc., JUSTICE. Pine Hill, June 10.