Manawatu Herald. THURSDAY, MAY 18, 1893. The New Applications.

Manawatu Herald, 18 May 1893, Page 2

Manawatu Herald. THURSDAY, MAY 18, 1893. The New Applications.

All that we desire to do in writing upon the point, now of much interest in the town, that of whether the Licensing Committee will grant the new licenses that are to be applied for at their next sitting, is not to urge either the granting or the refusal of the same, but to show that the Act most decidedly expects that the Committee will attend to the voice of the inhabitants. We know that the applicants are endeavouring to obtain, or are obtaining, signatures to a petition to the Committee requesting them to grant the new licenses, and upon the success or otherwise of the applicants in obtaining these signatures the granting or the refusal appears to depend. Every opening is given to objectors, but it appears to be very clear that the objectors must be more numerous or more influential than the applicants' supporters to justify the Committee attending to their opposition. The Act permits the Borough Council to appear against the granting of new licenses should they desire to do so, it lays down the time other objections must be lodged, but it expressly stipulates there must be sufficient notice given so that the applicants can bring forward rebutting evidence, even an objection in respect of the character of an applicant cannot be made unless three days notice is given. Adjournments can also be made from time to time so that evidence may be brought and thoroughly sifted. This shows that the Act, though incautiously using the wording " notwithstanding anything in this Act contained the Licensing Committee may of their own motion take notice of any matter or thing which in their opinion would be an objection to the granting of a license or to the renewal, transfer, or removal of a license, although no notice of objection has been given as by this Act is provided," fully expects that no body of men would determine matters, of so much interest, without giving due weight to the evidence brought by both sides, and by the vote given by the people. Any offhand treatment of an applicant is provided against by the same clause in the Act which empowers Committees to act of their own motion in objecting to a new license. It sets out "In any such case the Licensing Committee shall inform the applicant (of their objection) and shall adjourn the further hearing of the application if requested by the applicant for any period not less than seven days and not exceeding fourteen days in order that the person affected by any such matter of objection may have an opportunity of replying to the same.

The Committee shall forthwith after such adjournment cause full notice in writing of the matter or thing which in their opinion would be such an objection as aforesaid, to be given to the person or persons affected there by." tto the Committee cannot act arbitrarily and silently, but if they hold a strong opinion they are a"t liberty to express it provided they will reduce it; to writing and adjourn ihe sitting for a week to give the applicant time to bring rebutting evidence. Under these circumstances we can arrive at no other conclusion than that the Act expressly sets out that it is the popular will which is to be given effect to, and it is, as yefe, to be ascertained what that will is.