THE NEW LICENSING ACT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XIX, Issue 6329, 1 March 1882, Page 5

THE NEW LICENSING ACT.

MEETING OF RATEPAYERS AT NEWMARKET. A meeting of ratepayers was held yesterday evening at the Newmarket Hall in regard to the new Licensing Act, and the election of licensing commissioners. The attendance was small. Air, Sutton, chairman of the District Board, was called on to preside. — The Chairman briefly opened the proceedings, and called on "\lr. Clayton, who explained the operation of the' Act, readiuc the clauses, and commenting on them. He commented on the clauses of the Act referring to the probable expenditure of revenue from licenses on main roads. He concluded by soliciting the votes of the ratepayers for his own candidature, his motto being "to act with justice to the publicans and the ratepayers." A "ood deal of conversation ensued in regsij to the Loca'l Option Bill. — Mr. Jenk»> pointed out in what direction the Bill would take effect, viz., to prevent the opening of new houses. He asked what advantage 1 could be cained by nominating candidates at this meeting?— Mr. Ratjen, who stated that he was going out of the publicans' business, and now spoke only as a ratepayer and a business man, said he thought they should have some test or pledge from candidates. They wanted men of moderate views' to bring the Act to a sensible test. There were clauses in the Act which no publican could honestly carry out. It would be for moderate men to consider the circumstances, and deal leniently with those who transgressed miw;ttui"ly. In Europe, wlitre houses were kopt open all afternoons on Sunday, there was not so much drunkenness there with open doors as there was here with closed doors. He suggested that five commissioners should be nominated —Mr. Jenkins protested a"ainst a cut-and-dncd business of this sort." If they wanted to hear the views of the candidates, it should be after the nomination.—Messrs. McColl, Hoag. and other speakers were in favour ot there bein" no nomination from the meeting, and the meeting held the same view.—A vote of thanks to the chairman terminated the proceedings. .