LICENSING COMMISSION

Evening Star, Issue 25470, 28 April 1945, Page 12

LICENSING COMMISSION

PROPOSALS OF TRADE NO MORE NATIONAL POLLS LICENSE REDISTRIBUTION BOARD (P.A.) WELLINGTON, April 27. Proposals in broad outline for the redistribution of hotel licenses were made to the Royal Commission on Licensing to-day by Mr P. B. Cooke, counsel for the National Council of the licensed trade. Summarised, the proposals are: — That the present national licensing poll be eliminated, that the no-license 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 the licensing committees make a survey of all the hotel licenses in their districts and report to the Minister of Internal Affairs on the adequacy of the number of licenses, whether any license is redundant, and generally as to the requirements of the district for licenses. That a licenses 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 the reports of the licensing committees be referred by the Minister to the board. That the board have power on due notice to all the parties concerned (who are to have the right to be heard) to cancel or accept the surrender of the licenses that it decides are redundant. That the interested parties have the right of compensation for the loss of licenses, the claims to be heard and determined by the board. That the board also determine what new licenses shall be granted and where, and notify the licensing committees concerned.

That the licensing committees advertise their intention to grant such new licenses and their requirements in connection therewith.

That the new licenses be sold by public auction, but only to bidders previously _ approved by the licensing committee.

That the money received from such auction form a licenses 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 the interest on loans go to national charities.

That provision be made for districts voting for restoration. The commission adjourned and will resume at Auckland on May 8.