THE NEW LICENSING BILL.

Marlborough Express, Volume XXIX, Issue 205, 21 August 1893, Page 4

THE NEW LICENSING BILL.

+ FATOBABLY BECEIV '^D IN THE HOUSE. THE SECOND BEADIf G CARBIED. [BPKCI4L TO BXPBESS.] WEIiLISQTOtf, An(.Ußt 19. In the Lower Hou3B the Premier moved the second reading of tha long expeoted Aloholic Liqaorß Sale Control Bill, and m & speech lasting about an hour and a-half, lucidly explained its pnmsione. He said tha Government recognised it was their duty to plsce the liquor trade trade r control, and give more power into the hands of the people. Referring to th«» crucial point of tha Bill (clause 15), which provides for a three-fifths majority he said the Government had been pressed to- alter this to two-thirds of tha total voteß on the roll, and a bare majority of the votas polled. But the MiDisiry could not adopt this suggestion* He strongly defended the provision m the Bill placing Clubs on tha same footing as licensed houses. Tbe debate on the Lic-asing Bill was carried on till eleven o'olocb, when the second reading was agreed to on the voices. ; The Hon Mr Seddon, m rf plying, expressed fcia pleasure at tha friendly manner m which the House had received the Bill, and aoknowlodged thß kindly sentiments of members m regard to the way m which it bad been framed. After the second reading was carried, the Premier said he would like to go into Com" mitiee on the Bill at once, so that it might bs advanced a stage. The House agreed to this coarse, and as soon as the measure got into Committee progress was reported, Taesdty being set down as the day for resuming. The bill met with a remarkably favorabl reception, and there is little doubt it will go through the House without much Emend ment. Ministers are andisguisedly pleased at the sucoeaa of their efforts on the licensing question.