THE NEW LICENSING BILL

Lake Wakatip Mail, Issue 2788, 11 October 1910, Page 5

THE NEW LICENSING BILL

55 PEE CENT. TO DETEEMINE,

The Licensing Amendment Bill was introduced by Governor's Message on Friday last. Two features of the Bill are the elimination of the Reduction issue and the taking of a poll on National Prohibition, as well as on local No-license. Both these issues are to be decided by a 55 per cent, majority of the total number of votes recorded. The present requirement that to validate a licensing poll half the number of voters on the roll must record their votes has been done away with. The voting papers (the form of which is set forth in a schedule of the Bill) show the way in which the issues are put. In districts where licenses exist the form is:—

I vote against National Prohibition. (This vote is also counted in favour of the grant of licenses in the district.) I vote for National Prohibition. (This vote is also counted against the grant of licenses in the district.) tn districts where No-license exists the form is—

I vote against National Prohibition. (This vote is also counted in favour of the restoration of licenses in the district.) I vote for National Prohibition. (This vote is also counted against the restoration of licenses in the district.) If the voter strikes out both or neither of the proposals the voting paper is void. It is at cnce apparent that the voter is not given the opportunity of voting different ways on the local and national issues. He cannot vote for local No-license and against National Prohibition. Restoration on both the national and local issues is also determined by a 55 per cent, majority —not 60 per cent as in the past. National Prohibition means that in addition to cancelling all licenses it shall be unlawful for any person to import into New Zealand, or to manufacture, sell, or have in his possession for the purpose of sale, intoxicating liquor of any description. The penalty for the breach of this last clause is a maximum fine" of JJIOO for a first offence, and imprisonment up to three months for a subsequent offence. When the defendant is a body corporate the maximum penalties are for a first and ,£I,OOO for a subsequent offence. There is a proviso exempting the importation, manufacture, or sale (in accordance with regulations made by the Governor-in-Council) of intoxicating liquor for medicinal, scientific, sacramental, or industrial purposes excluively. —Barmaids Abolished.— After Ist June, 1911, no females are to be employed in any capacity in or about a bar while open for the sale of liquor. The maximum penalty for breach of this is £lO. Exemption is made in case of the wife or daughter of the licensee, and the licensee herself if a woman. The clause, however, provides that barmaids who have been so employed for three months within a year before the passing of the Act may continue in their employment. Applications for registration are to be made to the Commissioner of Police. All persons registered as barmaids are to have their names published in the ' Gazette.'

The Bill provides that no person under 21 years shall be served with intoxicating liquor. Mr Desmonlins, Manager of the N.Z. Acetylene Gas Co., is at present in Queenstown making final airangements for installing the gas in the town. The company have taken a shop in Rees Street and they propose to lay in a stock of all the latest gas fittings. Those who propose to put the gas in will therefore have an opportunity of procuring the necessary fittings locally if they so desire. To-morrow is Labor Day. It will only be observed by some of the Government offices and the bank.

Mr E. H. Wilmot, Commissioner of Crown Lands for Otago, passed through Queenstown last week from Cardrona.