THE LICENSING BILL.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume II, Issue 123, 18 June 1881, Page 2

THE LICENSING BILL.

We have received a copy of the above Bill, which, in its main features as a permissive measiu-e, and also as affording means for a strict but wholesome supervision over all those who are licensed to sell spirituous liquors, seems likely, with a little amendment, to form a good and workable Statute. "Within the limits of the space at our disposal it is quite impossible to more than glance at some of the main provisions. In the first place, it is provided that there shall be only one annual licensing day, during the fii'st ten days of June in each year, for the issue of new licenses. Before gi-anting any new license a vote of the ratepayers of the licensing district will be taken. The district will be in each case, as near as may be, either the borough or ward of a borough, riding, or road district. Special districts may also be constituted to meet extraordinary cases — such as gold-fields, proclaimed native districts, &c. It is proposed that the Licensing Committee shall consist of the Resident Magistrate or Warden of the district, and four other members nominated by the Governor, who may be residents either within or without the district. In those districts where the Acts affecting the sale of liquor to Maoris apply, the consent of the Native Assessor is to be indispensable to the granting of any license.

The Bill contains no less tban 229 clauses, many of which may, and veiy probably will, be sevei'ely handled by Parliament in committee, more especially as this is a non-political question, and one upon which the weight of party feeling can hardly be brought to bear. Among the other provisions of the Bill may be mentioned clauses prohibiting the sale of liquor to children apparently under sixteen years of age. Also, one prohibiting the sale of liquor to habitual drunkards. Any two Justices may issue such a prohibition order, extending over twelve months, and may, if they think fit, renew any prohibition of the end of the term. The provisions proposed for the inspection of licensed houses give great powers to the police. Among the penalties for the sale of adulterated liquor may be mentioned the placarding of premises where adulteration has been proven. The Bill contemplates the issue of ordinary licenses to sell drink between the hours of 6 a.m. and 10 p.m. for £40 a year ; for family hotel licenses, to sell liquor to residents of the house only, for £20 ; club licenses, £20 ; bottle licenses, for £40; New Zealand wine licenses, for £1 ; billiard-table licenses, for £10; packet licenses, for use on board ships, for £10 ; wholesale licenses, for £10.

One of the main features of the Bill is to ensure the furnishing of the Licensing Committee with a full and particular history of each license while it has been in the hands of the applicant. This is sought'to be provided for by the indorsement, on the back of the license itself, of all penalties imposed and particulars of offences committed Tinder the Act. And also by the keeping of an official record of any penal ties inflicted by the Committee upon each and every botelkeeper. This record will be in the hands of the Clerks of Licensing Committees ; and in the event of an hotel-keeper leaving one district and applying for a license in another, a copy of this record would, if asked for, be furnished to the Committee where the new application had been lodged. No sale of liquors, except to residents and bona fide travellers, is to be permitted on Sundays.

The keeper of a billiard - table is, throughout the Bill, treated exactly as a publican, and apparently in the eyes of the f rainer the man who plays a game of billiards needs quite as much looking after as he who indulges in strong drink. Surely, the Hon. Mr. Dick can never have visited some of the Continental cties, where almost every cafe has half-a-dozen little billiard - tables constantly open, round which students, merchants, tradesmen, and in fact all who have taken up sedentary pursuits, gain health and enjoy recreation in company, without any alcoholic liquors being within reach. The owners of sich tables would very strongly object fco being classed and treated as publicins ; yet the growth of such a class of soft'ee-taverns deserves to be encouraged and fostered, and the tendency of these restrictions would be to discourage thdr introduction. The Bill bears throughout its pages strong evidence' of its having emanated from a teetotal source.