SALE OF LIQUOR.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19720, 20 August 1927, Page 14

SALE OF LIQUOR.

RIGHTS OF THE RAILWAYS. FREEDOM OF ACTION CLAIMED. [by telegraph.—own correspondent.] WELLINGTON, Friday Holding that it was the prerogative of the Minister of Railways even to open a bar on railway premises if he so desired, Mr. Blair,, in the Magistrate's Court today, asked Mr. E. Page, S.M., to dismiss a charge against Cecil William Price, auctioneer, of having sold at auction a quantity of less than five gallons of liquor. The facts, as admitted by both the prosecution and the defence, were that Price, acting on the instructions of the Railway Department, auctioned a number of unclaimed packages, among which were two cases of whisky. The sale, which took place on railway premises, was duly advertised. " The Minister of Railways can sell liquor on departmental premises in any way he likes, wholesale, retail or by auction," said Mr. Blair. "I do not suppose he has ever thought of doing it, but no doubt he could greatly increase the revenue if he opened bars at certain towns in New Zealand. (Laughter). He is free to convert any railway station rooms into well-fitted bars." In support of his contention, counsel referred the magistrate to section 201 of the Licensing Act. Price, he said, was the Minister's agent, and was only exercising the privileges given to the Crown by the Act. The department had approached the police and pointed this out, but the inspector had insisted on going on with the case, why, counsel could not understand. After the magistrate had said he would take time to consider the matter, Mr. Blair asked that the question of allowing costs against the police be entertained. He maintained that if 0110 department put another to unnecessary expense, it should have to foot the bill. The magistrate replied that he would consider thia matter also.