THE GLOBE. FRIDAY, JULY 15, 1881. THE LICENSING BILL.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2273, 15 July 1881, Page 2

THE GLOBE. FRIDAY, JULY 15, 1881. THE LICENSING BILL.

Judging from the debate last night upon the Licensing Bill, the temperance party in the House are exemplifying the old fable of the boy and the nuts. Not content with having obtained considerable concessions, they are now trying to make the Bill Draconian in its severity. So much so that even the moderate supporters of the Bill are expressing their intention of voting against the third reading. It will not, wo think, be denied that a revision of the licensing law is needed. For instance, there are two points upon which it is necessary that legislation should taka place. The first of these is that the hours of closing should be uniform throughout the colony. At present different hours prevail in nearly every portion of New Zealand without, as it seems to ns, any reason therefor. There does not appear to be any special circumstances existing, say in Dunedin, why houses there should bo allowed to remain open till midnight, whilst in Christchurch, they have to be closed at eleven p.m. The second point* to which we wish to refer is one of the utmost importance, and upon which legislation has been urgently called for. This is with regard to adulteration. The advocates of temperance make a great point of the fact—which unfortunately is undoubted—that the greater part of our criminals and lunatics become so from the influence of drink. But whilst admitting this, Just let us for one moment draw attention to the real evil. It is not drink per sc, but the vile adulterations which are so rife in the colony that is really the agent of crime and lunacy. Hence, whilst legislating for due supervision and regulation of licensed houses, we contend that the allimportant point, and one upon which the utmost stringency should be exercised, is the suppression of the sale of the vile compounds which all of us know quite well is daily carried on. Under the present system, as we have already pointed out, the adulteration of spirits, ie., can be carried on with impunity. We most unhesitatingly say that in this respect the law as it now exists is a farce, and has never exercised any salutary influence whatever. In some places the rubbish vended is of the worst possible kind, and this is also well known. Our readers will remember that some time back the solemn farce of bringing several licensed victuallers before the Bench was enacted. It was as well known as that the sun is shining that these visits were to be paid, and paid too by a person well known to all. The result was, of course, that nothing but water was found in the spirits, and so the matter ended. This is, so far as we remember, the only time upon which an attempt —such as it was—has been made to put a stop to the wholesale adulteration which it is well known goes on. The subject is one of the gravest possible importance, and, therefore, it is with regret that we see that it is likely another session will pass over without anything being done. So far as can be seen, there is but little probability of the Bill passing, having been so mangled in committee. Thus the present very unsatisfactory state of the law will continue and adulteration can be indulged in with impunity. If the Licensing Bill does not pass, we hope that the attention of the Government will bo directed to this matter, and that some steps will bo taken even at this late period to obtain legislation of a very severe order, so as to put a stop to the pernicious practice of adulteration of liquor.