The Evening Star FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 1904.

Evening Star, Issue 12307, 23 September 1904, Page 4

The Evening Star FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 1904.

Thk House of Representatives, sitting till 4.30 this morning, completed The Liquor the committee stage of the Bill Licensing Bill, and there now only remain a probably brief pieces* of recommittal and the third reading. The Bill is presumably out of danger so far as the House is concerned, and we think it may be added that the representatives of the people are in no humor to tolerate anything in the shape 0 f radical interference with the measure cn the part of the Legislative Council. Not that wo wish to assume that a majority in the Council are disposed to adopt a hostile attitude: still, there is some reason to suppose tint the views of a good many Councillors regarding the ijquor question are conservative, if not reactionary. The House, at all events, has earned considerable kudos by the steady and candid fashion in whiffi it has fatal a difficult matter, and we repeal: that a large share of credit Ls due to the’members of the “ Conference,” who can afford to ignore the criticism of the chagrined in view of the practical success which their conciliatory enterprise has secured. Auctliex at,tempt was made last night to preserve the system of unwarrantable liberty, not to say license, which has obtained in “ clubland.” with (in many cases) such pernicious results, the privileges of chartered clubs had been duly regulated on Wednesday, and yesterI day tho 1 rcmier moved a new clause with a view of checking undesirable proceedings in unebartered or bogus clubs. The intention is to institute penai liability in cases ” wh»ro “ unebartered clubs supply liquor, or enable '’members to procure liquor on the pre- “ mises, under circumstances which might ‘‘not constitute a ride in law, but which “show that tho liquor was directly or indirectly paid for by subscription or oiler “payments.” This is known as the “locker” system of co-operative refreshment, and Mr Seddon docs not hesitate to characterise it as “ sly grog-selling pure and simple.” We cannot vouch for cither the purity or the simplicity, but we are at one with the Premier’s contention. Of course, there was an outcry from tho belated band of members who always regard increased restrictions respecting drinking facilities as a wicked interference with “ the liberty of the subject.” Mr Baume dutifully trotted out this hackney phrase, adding that the Premier’s proposal was “ bvatackM while Mr T.

Mackenzie and Sir Massey protested against farcical legislation. It is too late in the day for this kind of argument, which has pretty wejl lost its power of checking progressive movements, whether political or social. We observe that Mr Dulhie offered a “ defence of bowling clubs" in relation to the matter under discussion. Now, at the risk of giving offence in certain quarters, wo venture to say that there is only too much reason for careful control of the proceedings on bowling club premises in respect to the supply of liquor. We said yesterday that we should not be obliged to travel a hundred miles from Dunedin to discover the harmful effects of dull privileges, ami (mulatis mutandis) the same remark holds good as regards some bowling clubs. The sooner that legitimate siport of all kinds is freed from the associations of liquor and dubious forms of pastime the better will it be for all parties concerned. At least one of the decisions arrived at las,c night will probably Ire regretted bv a majority of the electors. By a vote o'f 30 to 26 the House rejected Mr James Allen's plea for a fresh poll in the Bruce iicensing district. Mr Allen’s remarks conecining recent doings at Kaitnngata were not quite pertinent to the issue, which is a neutral one, so to speak; but the member fot Bruce had a good case, as well as an undoubted claim upon the support of those members ‘‘ who last session had stated that “ they would have voted either for a Valida- ‘‘ tiou Act or a new poll had not the matter •‘been before (he law courts." Nor was there any conclusive force in the Premiers reminder that “a frc,sh poll would have to " be taken in dne course in a little more “than twlve months.” Mr Seddon holds that it would not be "prudent” to interfere at an earlier date, but he does not seem to have made it quite clear where the prudence ciAncs in. Si ill, the Temperance party will probably console themselves with the rellcetion that they are not. likely to lose anything in the long run as a. consequence, of yesterday’s decision. Another result with which we arc not altogether satisfied is the provision that 55 per cent, of the voters at a first poll must vote at a second poll in order to make the latter valid. It has to be remembered, however, that this was one of the conditions of the compromise effected by the Conference; run/, in view of the generally excellent effect of the negotiations, we are prepared to take the dubious along with the. acceptable. We must express the opinion, however, that sooner or later ail provisos regarding voting percentages will be eliminated from the licensing legislation. The. people who tike the trouble to go to the poll arc the people to whom power should be entrusted, aud the admission ot facilities for the exercise of insidious tactics cannot bo justified by any sound argument. It will be noticed that Mr T. Mackenzie carried his propsal ro tix five (instead of three) miles as the distance which our friend the bona fide traveller must journey before being entitled to claim bis first drink ; and (a;; provided on Tuesday) another stretch of live, miles must be covered before a second refresher can he legally secured. Mr Tailor's clause prohibiting the employment of barmaids was rejected by 43 to 11, but it would probably be a mistake to regard these, numbers as indicative of the feeling of the House respecting the desirability of maintaining the present system. Legislative prohibition would bo premature, to say the least, but we believe that public opinion will eventually secure the same end. Finally, the House virtuously resolved that “in toe " event of No-license being carried in Wel- “ lington, no liquor shall he sold m tho "Parliamentary Buildings." Any oilier arrangement would he preposterous.