LICENSING REFORM

Greymouth Evening Star, 30 August 1929, Page 5

LICENSING REFORM

NO BILL THIS SESSION

SIR J. WARD’S ESTIMATE

(Per Press Association.)

WELLINGTON, August 29.

A definite statement that no licensing legislation would be introduced during the present Parliament was made by Sir Joseph Ward yesterday to a deputation from the New Zealand Alliance. He made it clear that it would be futile to attempt any such legislation with the House of Representatives as it was at present constituted. The Secretary of the Alliance, Mr. Edmond, who put the requests, said the first plank was a simple majority, with Only two issues. If there were three issues, they wanted the matter decided on a preferential vote. Other ends were no license to Tongariro Chateau, which was in the King Country; and restrictions on cabarets. The position in regard to bars in hotels also needed attention, and also bottle stores, which were doing tremendous damage to the social life, of the community.

Sir Joseph Ward said he would not agree to be responsible for introducing a bill in the House, as it was at present constituted. It would be inviting not only discord, but an attempt at legislation which it would not be possible to go on with. It was only fair to say it would be powerless for him to give effect to the wishes of the deputation, even if he were favourable to them, because, so far as lie could see, the present House was against licensing legislation. In regard to a brewery license at Otahuhu, he regretted it had been issued. It had been issued by the Customs Minister with the very best intentions, but he agreed that the matter should have come before Cabinet as a matter of administration. He pointed out that in the past such licenses had not come before Cabinet. He agreed that it should not have been issued, especially when the brewery was close to a Presbyterian institution where there were children.

“There will be no licensing bill this session, or during this Parliament,” said Sir Joseph. “As far as I can judge, this Parliament will be constituted next session similarly to what it is now. What you have to do is to exercise your influence on the minds of the people at the next election, so as to get them into line with your views as against those which prevail in the present House.” Mr. Edmond: The present House is stronger than the last.'

Sir J. Ward: It is not strong enough. Mr. Edmond: It would be as well to :est it.

Sir Joseph: Not if you were in my place. Hon. L. M. Isitt asked whether Sir J. Ward could not intervene to protect employees in Public Trust Offices, so far as the instruction given to them not to take part in a political organisation was concerned.

Sir Joseph replied that he would bi ing that matter before the Public Trustee, and would express his personal opinion on it too.

HIGHER LICENSE FEES.

(Special to “Star.")

WELLINGTON, August 29. An increase in fees charged for licenses for the sale of liquor was advocated by Mr Wilkinson, in the House to-day. as a means of securing more revenue.

Mr Wilkinson said the fee charged at present was £4O per annum for each license. That fee had been in operation for the last fifty years, and last year it produced £41,000. He went so far as to say the fees could be made to produce at least £400,000. The licenses granted a monopoly to hotels to sell liquor and they had the right to ask people holding such licenses to pay for the privilege. Hotels had no competition and the State went so far as to provide policemen at every street corner to ensure that nobody else carried on their business. Hotels were paying no more per annum than auctioneers, who had to contend with competition. Hotel licenses worked out at 2s 6gd per day, and that was not reasonable to pay for the prvilege of selling liquor. It might be suggested that they were afraid of hotel keepers, but he did not think the Prime Minister would be afraid of anyone when it came to collecting taxes. Mr Parry; He enjoys his surpluses all right.