THE LICENSING LAWS.

New Zealand Times, Volume LXXI, Issue 4496, 25 October 1901, Page 4

THE LICENSING LAWS.

The. new Licensing Amendment Bill is meeting, with such adverse criticism on all sides that it is not likely to become law this session. The proposals dt the Government, if concurred in, would eliminate from tho statute book some of tho objectionable ajld anomalous 'features of the existing law. But, while tho representatives of “the trade” would be satisfied with much that is proposed, the extreme prohibitionist views with apprehension any attempt to amend licensing legislation. We are told on tho one hand that tho Bill docs not accora to the licensed victuallers any concessions worth speaking about. They only see one or 'two of the less important re com. mondations they made to the Government embodied in the Bill, and they are annoyed that the period between the polls should not have boon extended from three to six years. That this particular concession has not boon offered may be due to political diplomacy, some politicians regarding tho fighting over the licensing question every throe years as essential to their return as representatives of the people. But it appears that those interested in the trade in alcoholic beverages have made suggestions which are reforming and progressive. The licensed victuallers urged that tho law affecting ‘Tied houses” should be rendered more stringent and exacting. It was the trade that recom. mended the imposition of a penalty for sending children for liquor, and the lining of those who practised deception in representing themselve s to bo bona fide travellers; - It is generally agreed that any man who breaks the law or induces another to do so by false representations should ho punished, and the amendment in. that direction is regarded with satisfaction. Innumerable amendments have bee ll proposed to the Bill for the purpose of bringing it into conformity with the wishes of licensed victuallers and pro. hibitionists. Its passage is thereby obstructed, and tho anomalies it would remove, if passed without alteration, will be permitted to continue because of the perversity of several members. It is not likely that-the licensing laws will be amended next year, because members will then be contemplating an early appeal to the votes of their constituents, and will not bo disposed to deal de. cisively with a question ' that might affect the prospects of their return to the House. On the question of granting charters to private clubs there must always be much difference of opinion. Some look upon clubs as private houses, but in some towns it is notorious that they are scarcely more private or homelike than ordinary hotels. Prohibitionist and publican are alike agreed that clubs should be restricted, and the Mimstiy, in deference to public opinion, has ceased to issue club charters. Another point raised by the proposed Licensing Act Amendment Bill is that of allowing the Govenior-in-Council to grant licenses in tourist districts. Since under the existing law no new licenses ; can be granted in out-of-the-way places, it is reasonable that the Government should have the power cf licensing such houses as are necessary to meet the convenience of travellers and tourists. It may be pointed out that the Govern, ment has already established accommcdaiion houses and permitted their managers to sell liquor without license. The objection raised to tho granting ot licenses to such houses as are necessary

for the convenience of tourists—that it would mean the thin end of the wedge cf State Control or State ownership—is inconsequential, because the State ai« ready owns some such houses as it now proposes to have licensed and kept by private individuals. Those who are opposed to tho principle of State control have missed tho point of the proposed amendment, when they argue that its adoption would moan the first step towards State ownership of public-houses. In such instances as that of tho Mount Cock Hermitage, tho Government has demonstrated its ability to manage hotels for the convenience of tourists. As tho working of these houses has been proved satisfactory, it should be perfectly practicable to establish similar places along tourist routes to moot the requirements of travellers. Tho Government, apparently, wishes to shirk this responsibility, and therefore proposes that Parliament should sanction an alteration in the existing law to allow of licenses being granted by the Colonial Secretary. In protesting against such licenses being granted, those who oppose State control as a (moans of reform are furthering tho cause they denounce. Besides, many reasonable men who havo hold aloof from any part in temperance reform because cf the illogical and extreme views of prohibitionists, are now viewing the system of State control as A means ready to their hand of eliminating- what is injurious, and retaining what i s necessary in the disposal or sale c; alcoholic beverages. Amid so many confl’cting views, many days will, however, pass before the principle of State control will bo generally adopted.