THE NEW LICENSING BILL.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 4166, 28 July 1874, Page 2 (Supplement)

THE NEW LICENSING BILL.

PUBLIC MEETINGS. A meeting was held yesterday at half-past twelve, at the Odd Fellows’ Hall, for the purpose of discussing the new Licensing Bill introduced by tho Hon. the Premier, and which was now before the House of Representatives. Mr. R. J. Duncan, who occupied the chair, briefly explained the object of the meeting, and spoke at some length on the Bill. Several speakers followed; and, after some discussion, it was moved by Mr. Gillen, that a committee should be appointed to draw up a petition, supporting Mr. Vogel’s Bill, for presentation to the House of Representatives. The motion was carried, and a committee —consisting of Messrs. Downes, Cartel], Stevenson, Gillon, Miller, Morley, and Broughton—appointed to draw up the petition, which it was agreed should be submitted to a public meeting in the same place, on the same evening. The meeting then adjourned. Shortly after eight o’clock, about one hundred and fifty of the citizens assembled at the Hall. Mr. Buckley, solicitor, was voted to the chair. He explained that the meeting was an adjourned one of those interested in the Licensing Bill, and was held for the puirpose of ascertaining the views of the citizens with reference to the propiosed amendment of the measure. It was on a question in which not only the Licensed Victuallers were concerned, but it was one that everyone was interested in. Mr. Gillon said that when he attended the meeting at an earlier hour in the day, he had no intention of taking an active part in that of the evening ; but ho had been appointed on the committee to draw up a petition, and lie now propiosed to submit it. It was as follows :—• “ To the Hon. the Speaker and Members ok the House of Representatives. in Parliament assembled : “ The Humble Petition of the undersigned inhabitants of the City of Wellington, humbly sheweth :—• “That much hardship and injustice have been inflicted upon individuals, and great inconvenience sustained by the general public, by reason of the'enactment of a Statute in the last session of the General Assembly, intituled The Licensing Act, 1873. “That your petitioners have learned with great satisfaction that a Bill is now before vour honorable House intended to amend the law regulating the liquor traffic, and they have reason to believe that the provisions of this Bill are calculated to, in a large degree, remove and remedy the hardship) and inconvenience experienced from the operation of the existing law. “Your petitioners would particularly urge that the clauses of the Bill numbered respectively 10, 13, 16, IS, 19, 28, and 37, as well as the regulations prescribed for the conduct of business at the Licensing Courts, are just and necessary. “ Your petitioners would further suggest to your honorable House, the desirability of establishing throughout tho Colony a uniform system with regard to Sunday trading, either by absolutely prohibiting it under severe penalties, or by permitting it during certain hours. The latter provision would, in the opinion of your petitioners, prove most conducive to the wishes and convenience of the general public. “ Your petitioners therefore puny that, unless it may seem fit to your honorable House to introduce clauses dealing with the Sunday trading question, your honorable House may in your wisdom see fit to pass the Bill introduced by the Honorable the Prime Minister without substantial alteration. “ And your petitioners, as in duty bound, will ever pray, &c,, &c.” The question was one affecting not one or two, but almost everyone in the City. The public-houses were necessary, and it was desirable that they should be open for the sale of liquor for a short time on Sundays. Sunday trading did not affect some portions of the community who had their clubs where they could obtain refreshment at any time, or persons who were in a position to afford to keep a private supply ; but the large majority the working class and tradespeople—it did affect, and very greatly. Many people who were in the habit, formerly—when the Provincial Government’s Bill was not strictly enforced—of sending out for beer ; now, since the local law was enforced took home their bottle of spirits on the Saturday night, which cost more, and probably in some instances led to worse results. Sunday trading should either be forbidden under very heavy penalties or allowed during certain hours. The speaker then reviewed the several clauses in the Act referred to in the petition, which he thought it -was most desirable should be passed. A great deal had been said about referring the matter of licensing to the majority of the inhabitants. If men, women, and children were to say what houses should be licensed and what bouses not, they might ius well at once be allowed to have control of the taxes, &c. If the women and children were to have a vote in regulating the liquor traffic they might as well have it in greater matters. _ Mr. Stevenson seconded the motion, which was carried unanimously. The question was then asked, whether males alone should sign the petition. Mr. Gillon replied that it never was contemplated that women and chiblren, who did not understand the question, should sign the petition. Mr. Duncan said he was delighted to see so many townspeople present, but was sorry that* so few of the leading men of the town were to be found on the platform. In the last session of Parliament an Act was ■ passed which did _ not reflect credit on the House of Representatives. Then a man, he believed with the good of the country at heart, but who allowed his zeal to overcome his discretion, introduced a Bill, which it was a matter of regret no one in the House had the sense to advise him against. It was with great satisfaction he now saw a movement to support Mr. Vogel’s Bill, which was sensible and rational, and which should receive the support of all Wellington. The Chairman then put the motion referring to the adoption of the petition, _ which was carried with only one dissenting voice. The Chairman said he did not care to offer any opinion on the subject before the meeting at an earlier stage of tho proceedings. As a citizen, he thought there was no necessity for such a measure as the Act now in force. Drunkenness had never jirevailed in Wellington or in the Colony, to such an extent as to justify that measure. He felt quite satisfied that the respectable publicans would be the first to endeavor to put down excessive drunkenness. The Government acted rightly in supporting a measure for a reform of this Act, and the public would be doing their duty towards each other in supporting measures which would trive free and fair trade in all things, “ A vote of thanks to the chairman was then earned by acclamation. The petition being laid on the table, was signed by almost all present, and a subscription list was then opened towards defraying the expenses of obtaining signatures ; the call was well responded to, and the list headed with a donation of five guineas. The meeting then dispersed.