THE LICENSING QUESTION.

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIII, Issue 7270, 12 September 1884, Page 5

THE LICENSING QUESTION.

At Wednesday’s meeting of the Lambton Licensing Committee Mr Shaw said he believed it was the unanimous wish of the publicans in the city that the hour of closing should not be later than 11 o’clock. Wo should much like to ascertain if his information was correct. We presume he would not have so expressed himself unless he had had some substantial grounds on which to base an opinion. On the other hand, it is difficult to understand how he arrived at his belief, for the entire brotherhood of publicans has not passed a resolution about the 11 o’clock closing, and neither Mr Shaw nor anyone else is likely to have tested the question by a personal canvass of the licensees. If it be a fact that all the jublicans in Wellington wish the rouses to be closed not later than II o’clock, it would be a pity not to let them have their own way as speedily as possible. We are sure that the public would have no reason to grumble at the change, and perhaps a good many “ wives and families" might find cause for devout thankfulness. A 3 for the plea on behalf of lodgers or travellers coming in late at night, that is a matter very easily and satisfactorily disposed of. _ The licensees have a choice of expedients, in the shape of night porters, bells, and latch-keys. We would suggest that the publicans hold a meeting, and pass a resolution corroborative of Mr Shaw’s statement. The several licensing committees could then be notified of the fact, and there is no reason for supposing that with such evidence before them they would insist on any of the houses keeping open till 12 o’clock. If there were to be any attempt at coercion on the part of the licensing committees, the sympathies of the community, including the police, would be altogether on the side of men who wished to put up the shutters and go to bed instead of selling midnight supplies of brandy and beer. There was anqther rather remarkable statement made at the Laiqbton licensing meeting. The Chairman said that at a conference of the licensing committees held not Iqug ago it was resolved that all the houses should be closed at II o'clock, and he was surprised that the arrangement had not been adhered to. As with Mr Shaw’s statement so with the chairman’s, we suppose there were good grounds for what was said. The resolution was passed, and then broken. How came that about ? Did the pressure come from the publicans, the public, or the licensing committees? Not from the public, we venture to think, for entirely outside the Good Templar camp there is a very general feeling at the present day that some efforts towards a more moderate consumption of intoxicating liquor might be made with advantage, and that the most convenient way of effecting a change for the better would be to close the houses an hour or two earlier. Those who hold a contrary opinion are altogether in a minority. The responsibility of breaking the agreement lies, of course, with the licensing committees, though, notwithstanding Mr Shaw’s statement (made doubtless in good faith), the trade may have brought pressure to bear in order to get the question oi 12 o’clock licenses reconsidered Members of Licensing Committees who yield to such influences are weak i kneed to a degree which renders then , thoroughly unfit to sit in Judgment ii

cases where the interests of the community are involved. It is satisfactory to note that the Chairman of the Lambton Licensing Committee had the courage of his opinions, and plainly stated that in granting an extension of the particular license under discussion he was merely declaring the will of the majority, and was himself opposed to 12 o’clock extensions.