LIQUOR LEGISLATION

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1756, 1 November 1905, Page 52

LIQUOR LEGISLATION

THE MAJORITY MARGIN, CONCESSION BY PROHIBITIONISTS SYDNEY, October 26. The question of majority rule involved in the Liquor Bill was hotly attacked, and as a result the Government compromised by reducing the two-thirds majority to three-fifths and the percentage of electors required to vote from 50 to 30 per cent. The strenuous opposition to the measure generally was suddenly dropped last night, and indicated that some compact had ~been7 made. This was sprung on the House by tbe AttorneyGeneral stating that it was intended to increase the notice to dispossess licensees from three years to eight years. An amendment to this effect was subsequently carried by 62 votes to 7. The amendment was accepted by the supporters of the bill in the belief that the measure was doomed otherwise. , . After an all-night sitting the Assembly passed the amended Liquor Bilk through committee. New clauses were added to the bill, providing that the measure should come into force on January Ist, 1906, guarding against “faked” leases, and fixing the minimum license fee at £lO, and the maximum at £IOO.