THE LICENSING BILL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19808, 1 December 1927, Page 13

THE LICENSING BILL.

DISCUSSION IN HOUSE. MEASURE IN COMMITTEE. MINOR ALTERATIONS MADE. THE RESTORATION POLLS. REGISTRATION OF BARMEN. [BY TELEGRAPH. —SPECIAL REPORTER. ] WELLINGTON. Wednesday Thai the tension in the House of Representatives aroused over the Licensing Bill has eased was evident to-day when the committee stage on the remaining clauses was resumed. Members were in a cheerful mood and the clauses and the amendments were calmly discussed. There was a hint of trouble when the Leader of the Opposition, Mr. H E. Holland, declared with emphasis that he did not, think there was the least intention of the bill being allowed to become law. If he were correct in his surmise then the House was simply fooling with the position and members were wasting time and public money. He invited the Prime Minister to give a definite assurance one way or another that ho would permit the bill definitely to go through all stages and to pass to the Statute- Book. "1 thought I made the position quite clear in the statement I made to the House last night," replied the Prime Minister. "With the exception of those providing for the bare majority I am in favour of the amendments which have been made to the bill So long as the bill contains the bare majority clauses I shall be opposed to it— Future of the Bill. Mr. Holland; Will you allow it to go on the Statute Book ? The Prime Minister: And I wilt not vote for the third reading. Mr. Holland: But will you allow it to go on the Statute Book ? The Prime Minister: And 1 will not move the third reading. If the House desires that the bill should go through and to the Legislative Council it will go there. My advice to members is that they should keep an open mind. 1 repeat that 1 am entirely opposed to the principle of the bare majority in cases of this kind. The: Prime Minister added that if the bill went to the Legislative Council the members of that chamber would have an opportunity of overhauling it as they thought fit. ? . Sir Joseph Ward (lnvercargill) asked the Prime Minister if the bill passed the third reading with the bare majority, and he was not in charge of it, and it then went through the Legislative Council, would he sign the recommendation to the Governor-General that the bill should be put on the Statute Book ? The Prime Minister: There has been a certain phrase in use for the past 15 years, and without any disrespect to the right hon. member, and without any intention of appearing to be rude, I would ask lliim to ' wait and see." Bare Majority Restoration. The Prime Minister then explained the amendments which it had been agreed should be made to the bill, and which lie introduced. The first of these provided that restoration polls should be held in the same manner as the present licensing polls, that is, at every general election, with the existing safeguard against elections held on a dissolution of Parliament within its normal life. Only once during the last 30 years had Parliament dissolved within tho normal period of three years, but it was necessary to safeguard against such an eventuality. The amendment was agreed to, as was also another providing that restoration should bo carried by a bare majority decision, instead of the 55 per cent, originally provided for in the bill. there was some discussion concerning another amendment, which provided that if restoration was carried the number of licences to bo granted should not be more than one for every 500 electors in the district concerned and not less than one for every 1500. The bill proposed that, the minimum number of licences shouid be one for every 1000 electors. "Another 200 Hotels." Mr. W. D. Lysnar (Gisborne) .considered there was no justification for the alteration, which he described as a weakening to the prohibition party. Mr. D. G. Sullivan (Avon): If you only knew tho effect of the alteration you would support it as strongly as you are opposing it. A Member: It will give you another 200 hotels. The amendment was agreed to. The section in the bill governing the taking of special polls on the requisition of 10 per cent, of the electors and on determination by a bare majority for the granting of licences to hotels which are restored to licensed areas by changes in tho electoral boundaries, was passed without alteration. An important amendment that was accepted provided that if national restoration was carried at tho first, "restoration" poll licences should not be granted in a former no licence district unless local restoration was also carried in a special poll conducted simultaneously with the national poll. To obtain such a

special poll the electors must follow the same procedure as in the case where it was desired to restore the licence of a hotel which had been put back into a licensed area by reason *of boundary changes. In addition to machinery clauses governing the issue of licences if national restoration was carried the House agreed to another provision that if restoration was carried at the first poll the number of licences to be issued should not exceed tho number of those in force in the respective districts on the date prohibition was carried. A mjnor clause in the bill accepted provided that irregular voting papers were not to be rejected as informal if tho intention of the voter was clearly indicated. The definition of a private bar was made more clear, the definition now being "A private bar means any part of licensed premises other than a public bar which is principally or exclusively used for the sale, supply or consumption of intoxicating liquor." The other provisions in this section relating to the endorsement on licences of the number of private bars which may be used, and requiring the payment of a fee of £lO for each private bar were agreed to. "A Complete Turn Round." Tho House accepted the Prime Minister's amendments deleting from the bill the clauses relating to tho provision of a minimum amount of accommodation in new hotels, of an adequate hot water service and tho right of a licensing committee to impose conditions that repairs, additions and alterations to the premises and furnishings must be made within a specified time. Several members expressed concern regarding the accommodation now provided in hotels in country districts, and they appealed to the Prime Minister to retain the clauses in the bill. Tlio Prime Minister said it was considered that tho matter could well be left to the licensing committees, and that, as a matter of ordinary fair play, directions should not bo given to the committees. Mr. H. Atmore (Nelson) said there had been a complete turn round by the Prime Minister at the instance of the men who had been infesting the lobbies of the House. Members represented the general public and should not pay undue attention to the vested interests on any side. Mr. G W. Forbes (Hurunui) said in tho case of every person who experienced unsatisfactory accommodation at a hotel it meant a vote for prohibition. He thought tho minimum accommodation might be cut down from 20 rooms for the public to 15. TJie Prime Minister said if tho sixvears tenure had been carried they might have inxists-1 with some reason on licensees bringing their accommodation up to date. Ho would have the accommodation question looked into again, and perhaps he would have the clause reintroduced in an amended form Liquor at Banquets. Little time was lost in putting through tho clauses in the bill requiring holders of ,wine licences to keep order on their promises, making the transfer of wholesale licences lawful, saving the rights of chemists in no-licence areas to dispense liquor, restricting tho employment of women in bars and tightening up the provisions in tho principal Act with relation to the unlawful sale of liquor and the supplying of liquor to persons under the ago of 21 years without the consent of the parent or guarUian. The committee accepted the clauses giving the Courts discretionary power to endorse licences and easing the present law so that it shall be a good defence if the licenseo proves that an offence on his _ premises was committed without his knowledge, and that he took all reasonable practicable measures to prevent the commission of the offence. Tlie clause which sought to extend the hours during which liquor might be sold at banquets in hotels to 10 o'clock was briefly discussed. It was suggested in the bill that the necessary permit should be obtained from the superintendent of police or officers in charge of police districts, but the Prime Minister moved an amendment designed to give other responsible police officers so authorised by the commissioner the right to issue the permits. This was agreed 1 to. The Prime Minister promised to have a clause added giving the same rights to chartered clubs as will be enjoyed by the hotels in this respect. Youl;hfulnes3 of Barmaids. Mr. Lysnar suggested that the privilege should be extended, to restaurants. "They already have it," said the Prime Minister. "No they have not," replied Mr. Lysnar. "And I think that ten o'clock is too early. I have never been at a banquet that has been over at ten o'clock." (Laughter.) A Member: What about extending the privilege to pie carts ? The Prime Minister accepted an amendment moved by Mr. .T. M. Wilford (Hutt) giving the privilege of having extended hours for banquets to chartered clubs which have dining rooms. The House concurring, the clause as amended was then passed. Replying to objections raised by Mr. Holland with regard to the clause transferring the register of barmaids from the Secretary of Labour to the Commissioner of Police, the Prime Minister said the Labour Department was; very anxious to be relieved of this responsibility. The police administered the law and were in a better position to watch the observance of the law. It was many years ago that barmaids were compelled to register, yet many of them were just as young and good looking as ever. The suggestion had bee t made that there was a certain amount of trafficking in barmaids' certificates. y "It is an insult to the barmaids," said Mr. H. G. Armstrong (Christcliurch East). The Prime Minister: It is not intended as an insult. The police practically do all the work now. Mr. Coates added that he would not waste further time on the matter, and the clause was struck out.

A new clause dealing with restoration was added. It provided that at national restoration polls local restoration polls on hare majority decisions shall also be taken. The effect of the clause is that if national restoration is carried local districts, by reason of their adverse vote on the local poll, will be allowed to remain "dry." In any case, local restoration will not come into force unless national restoration is also carried. The registration of barmen was provided for in another clause which was added to the bill. It was stipulated that applications must be made to the police and must be supported by two testimonials as to character. The Courts are to have the power to endorse the certificates of registration or suspend them if the holders should be convicted for any offence under the licensing laws. The section is to come into force on April 1 next and after that date unregistered barmen and their employers will be each liable to a fine of £lO. "I think this is a definite step forward in placing the responsibility _ of the men who retail the liquor," said the Prime Minister in reply to objections. "It is not a revolutionary or reactionary proposal. All that is wanted '"s that decent men will hold the jobs—men who have the ability and courage to tell the weak man that he has had enough; men who will be in the game ( i»ot merely for the money that is in it." The clause was adopted on a division by 51 votes to 21. The clause requiring that tho lodgers' book in hotels should be kept in a more strict manner was adopted. A clause was added tho effect of which is that if the bill is not passed local ! restoration polls shall be carried by a 55 per cent, majority, instead of a threelift hs majority, as at present. An amendment, moved by Mr. J. C. Rolleston (Waitomo), suggesting a referendum in the Kfng Country on tha question of granting licence, was ruled out of order on the ground that the taking of such a referendum involved an appropriation. The discussion was continued until a late hour on amendments moved by members. THE THIRD READING STAGE. MR. COATES ABANDONS BILL. CHARGE ASSUMED BY MR. E. P. LEE [BY TELEGRAPH.—SPECIAL REPORTER. | WELLINGTON. Thursday. The proceedings in Committee on the Licensing Bill concluded shortly after 1.30 a.m. The bill was reported to the House with amendments The Prime Minister refused to move that the report be agreed to. The motion was proposed by Mr. E. P. Lee (Oamaru), and carried on the voices. Mr. Lee then moved the third reading of the bill. The debate was continued until a late hour.