Manawatu Herald. TUESDAY, MAY 16, 1893. The Licensing Act.

Manawatu Herald, 16 May 1893, Page 2

Manawatu Herald. TUESDAY, MAY 16, 1893. The Licensing Act.

The appearanee of the public notifi. cation that application will be made at the next sitting of the Licensing Committee for the issue of licenses to two new hotels in the town, has led to much interest being taken as to the manner such applications are likely to be dealt with by the Committee. The question that first arises is, are they needed ? We are not going to express our opinion, but to those interested, either way, we would point out that the facts are easily obtainable by a little investigation. This is just where the duty of the Licensing Committee comes in. We do not suppose for one moment that they desire to imitate the action of the Sydenham Committee and make a farce of their responsible position by arriving at a decision without waiting fo» evidence, as such action caused the result of their decisions being ultimately upset, the Act setting forth that the Committee shall " summon and examine on oath such witnesses as they may think necessary and as near may be in the manner directed by any Act now or hereafter to be in force relating to the duties of Justices in summary convictions and orders." The applicants will endeavour, in various ways, to show that a need exists for the licenses they desire. The applicants will tender evidence, and after this have been heard those who object to the licenses can also be examined. As the vote of the inhabitants has been recorded in favour of granting further licenses the objectors have a battle to fight, as of course they would have had none had the vote been against an increase. We fully realise the grave responsibilities resting on the five members of the Committee, who have been returned by the people to act impartially and judicially for them and on their behalf. The Act recognises their honourable position as free and independent judges as it carefully sets out not only that no one connected with the liquor trade can become a member, but not even one who acts as an agent for any such person. It also prohibits any one from being a member " Who is interested in any such business or in any such house or building or premises as mortgagee or otherwise." The Act therefore contemplates that every application will be considered judically and that all decisions will be determined on evidence " whether the same is strictly legal evidence or not." It will be seen that the Committees' duty is set out so plain

and clear that any predetermined line of action is not to be supposed for one moment.