The Government Licensing Bill.

Mataura Ensign, Issue 15, 3 August 1895, Page 2

The Government Licensing Bill.

In the House last- evening, Mr Seddon moved the second reading of the Alcoholic Liquors Sile Control Act Amsar.dment Bill. He aaid there was great necessity for dealing with this vexed question during the present session and they should approach the matter with an earnest desire to deal with it co that it should not be a disturbing element session after session. The world was made up of compromises, and they should legislate so that their legislation would meet with the approval < i the great majority of the people of the colony. The present bill provided for four issues, namely, whether rhe number 01 licenses in a district is to continue ; whether they are to ba reduced ; whether there are to be licenses or no licenses. It might be said that this would complicate the question, but this would be a reflection on tbe men and women of the colony. The bill contained a proposal for colonial prohibition. There might be many who would vote for reduction but would go against local or national prohibition ; he therefore thought it fair to give every elector the four issues to vote upon. It might beobjected thatwhilst the bill provided for a bare niaj >rity in the case of reduction it allowed a substantial thrse-fifths majority for local or national prohibition, but he held that if a great reform like prohibition were to be effective must be carried by more than a bare majority. He firmly believed that if the colony were polled to-morrow it would result in favor of a substantial majority for local or colonial option. They were told over and overagain by the prohibitionists that they wanted a straight out issue on local or national prohibition, and that was provided in the bill A good deal had been said about the police not doing their duty in enforcing the licensing laws, but in every case where it was proved that constables had not done their duty he had discharged them. He intended to issue a circular to police inspectors stating that if a police constable were found in a hotel while on duty it would mean discbarge from the service, unless he could prove that he was on the premises en business This circular would apply also to permanent artillerym-n. He praised the police foros on the whole, but said a few exceptions were taken to reflect on the whole body. The same thing applied to hotelkeepers, and because a few of them did not obey the l»w that was no reason why the whole class should be condemned. It was unwise to be continually harassing people who spent large sums of mon^y endeavoring to cater for the public. He biieily explained the provisions of the bill. Sir K. Stout congratulated the Premier on having made a considerable advance in the temperance cause since 1893 The great blot in Mr Seddon's speech was that he had no enthusiasm for social reform at all. and he looked on this lipensing question as an awkward subject, which should bo disposed of with as little friction to his supporters and the public as possible. Under this bill, suppose there were 3QOO voters, and 1790 voted for no license, 1200 for reduction, and one voted to remain as at present, that one solitary voter would carry tha day, and 2999 would not get their way at all, and yet this was called a liberal measure. They had to face tbe great social evil, drink, and yet they were desired to accept tha bare majority proviso. The kernel of the bill was whether there should be a bare majority or a three6fi,hs majority. Mr Lawry slid he had never felt more disgusted with the Premier and the Government than ho did ovor this bill. He believed there was an over-whelming majority in the colony in favor of leaving things as they stood at present. Mr Dnthie thought there was great reed for liquor reform, but any attempt to force prohibition on tha colony must result in defeit. The present bill, however, was an unsatisfactory one, and would not deal with the matter at all thoroughly, Mr G. W. Russell would support the second reading, but was opposed to the colonial prohibition clauses, and would pndeavor to excisa them in committee. He looked at this question from a moderate standpoint as also, he believed, did the majority of the people of the colony. Ho was in favor of reduction by a bara majority. Dr Newman strongly objected to clause 27, which meant that a committe could grant a licence for every fOO people, Mr Willis opposed the clause providing for total prohibition and also opposed the abolition of N.Z. wine licenses. Mr Hone Helre heartily congratulated the Premier on the bill. In the course of his reply, Mr Seddon said Sir R. Stout had charged him with having no ideals, but he asked what practical purposes were achieved by Sir R. Stout's ideal?. He was prepared, to accept reasonable amendments in committee, as he wished to see the question settled, for some time at least. The aeeond reading wa? agreed $o on the voices and the House rose at 1 a.m. 1