THE BILL IN DETAIL

Evening Star, Issue 19709, 9 November 1927, Page 4

THE BILL IN DETAIL

FIRMER COrai OVER HOTELS PRIVATE BARS LIMITED [From Odb Parliamentary Reporter.] WELLINGTON, November S. Many important points oi detail weie necessarily omitted from the Prime Minister’s survey, which covered the main policy. The next national licensing poll will take place at the next general election, and if No License were carried it would operate on June 30, 1929. No further licensing election takes place for six years. The Bill makes more complete provision than previously for petitions lor recount and scrutiny, and it is directed that licensing ballots must bo on colored paper. If, after an experiencing of No-license, the dominion reverts to restoration, the Bill provides machinery for the purpose, and empowers licensing committees to grant licenses not exceeding one for every complete 500 electors of a district, and not less (if sufficient applications are made) than one license for every complete 1,000 electors of a district, preference to be given to owners of premises which were licensed prior to the operation of prohibition. ELECTORAL BOUNDARY CHANGE. The adjustment of electoral boundaries may cause licensed premises to be included in a No-license area, but on further readjustment the closed pre-' mises may again come within a licensed area. The Bill provides that under such circumstances at the first licensing poll there shall be submitted for the determination of the electors a proposal that a licensing committee be empowered to issue a new license, to that extent increasing the number of licenses in an area. The ballot paper will contain a proposal that a licensing committee bo empowered to grant a license for premises which shall be described, and the voter will have the opportunity of voting either for or against, a bare majority deciding. This section also applies to former licensed premises that have at any time been included in a No-licenso area, but to secure.a poll there, must be a demand by 10 per cent, of the electors of the district, made prior to June 30 in Ibc, year in which the licensing election is usually held.

ONE PUBLIC BAR, Every publicans’ license, according to the Bill, shall authorise the use of one public bar, and, in the discretion of the committee, a specified number of private bars, a fee of £lO being paid for each private bar, and this amount going to the public revenue. Any person who opens or,uses for the sale of liquor auy bars other than those specified in the license shall bo deemed guilty of selling liquor without a license.

Licensing committees are given wider power over the improvement of hotel properties. Any new license shall not be granted in a borough with a population of over 10,000, unless the premises contain for the public accommodation at least tivcnty rooms additional to those required for the licensee and his stall’. Hot water services may be insisted upon, and the committee, in granting or renewing a license, may impose conditions requiring additions, alterations, and improvements in the furnishing. GENERAL PROVISIONS. The Bill authorises the sale of liquor in hotels on the occasion of public functions till 10 p.m., though a permit will not he renewed in respect of the same organisation within six months. Newspapers are to be relieved of the restriction against circulating in a Nolicense district with advertisements relating to the sale of liquor if they arc not published with the intent to procure orders for liquor in a No-license district.

Seven days’ notice has to be given of an application for a conditional license. An obligation is imposed on tlic holders of Now Zealand wine licciiLses to preserve order on their premises iu the same way as if they were innkeepers. Transfer of wholesale licenses is to bo subject to the same conditions as those of applications for the transfer of publicans’ licenses, and any inspector in a licensing district is empowered to object to the transfer of a wholesale license or to tho grant of a conditional license. The restriction regarding the employment of women in hotels is modified to prevent the employment on licensed premises while they are required to bo closed of any woman other than tho licensee or his wife, daughter, mother, or sister, or a woman bona fide employed as the housekeeper of a licensee who is unmarried, or a widower. The law controlling the illegal sale of liquor is strengthened by adding to the phrase “ sell or expose ” the words “ or keep.” Liquor found in the possession of a licensed person, hub in a place where ho is not authorised to sell the same, may be forfeited. Tho provisions regarding the forfeiture of liquor under conditions where the law has been broken are to apply to Native areas proclaimed under the principal Act, as well as to licensed and No-licenso areas. A penalty of £lO is provided for persons who supply liquor to persons under 21, though this does not apply to their parents, guardians, or to bona fide hotel lodgers supplied by authority of a parent. A similar penalty will be imposed on persons under 21 representing themselves to he of that age. Licensees are to bo held liable for the default of servants, unless it be proved that they took reasonably practical measures, by personal supervision or otherwise, to prevent the breaches.

Polynesians arc to come under the restrictions which apply to Natives in regard to the supplying of liquor in proclaimed areas. Provisions of the Licensing Act, 1914, relating to the delivery of liquor in No-license areas are to apply to proclaimed Native areas. A clause in the 1908 Act prohibits the use of licensed premises as a dancing, concert, or theatrical saloon, but a sub-clause stated that this shall not extend to prevent private societies or assemblies of persons from hiring such a room or place and keeping exclusive control over admissions. This exemption clause will be repealed. The register of barmaids is to be transferred to the Commissioner of Police, and the penalty for acting as a barmaid if unregistered is £lO for every day on which, the offence is committed. Hotelkeepers are required to keep a register of lodgers, easily accessible to an inspector. Persons who supply incorrect information for this register are liable to a fine of £lO.