THE LIQUOR BILL

New Zealand Times, Volume XLII, Issue 9784, 6 October 1917, Page 9

THE LIQUOR BILL

BEFORE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL BILL PASSED WITH IMPORTANT AMENDMENTS. SIX O’CLOCK CLOSING STANDS. Tho Sale of Liquor Restriction Bill ■appeared before the Legislative Conn- ■ cii yesterday, along with lengthy and’ important amendments proposed, by tho Statutes Revision Committee of tho Council, which had been considering tho bill and hearing evidence in connection with same during the last several days. In moving that tho bill be committed, Sir Fraud-, Bell said that in one or two minor respects the hill was not what they oxacdly desired. Ho thanked the Hon. O. Samuel for his admirable conduct of the business during tho sittings of tho Statutes Revision Committee. Sir Francis said that before the bill was considered- by the committee they invited the Licensed Victuallers’ Association to bo represented at the fitting. Council representing all branches of the trade were consequently present a/t the sittings of the committee, when statements were made and called. Communications wore also received bj the committee from other people anterested iu tfhe bill. Tho only difference that occurred at the committee sittings was in respect to the assessment of rent and tho arbitrators to bo appointed. The committee , wa easily satisfied that the request by Mr Gray. K.C., for an equal reduction of rent of hotels by one-third all round was not fair or desirable. The request for a Stipendiary Magistrateto assess tho rent was not considered necessary or feasible. The committee, therefore, decided that the parties concerned should each appoint their own -arbitrators. This was considered to bo much'more reasonable than the occupying of the time of magistrates,who wore already fully employed. GLAUSES OF THE BILL EXPLAINED.

The new clause proposed, 3a, had been drafted by the Council for tho Licensed Victuallers’ Association, and although ho did not profess to fully understand; it, ho had deliberately refrained from, tampering .with it._ Personally, he considered clause 3 in the original bill as framed by the Crown Law Office draughtsman was carefully and excellently drafted. He would leave the new clause, 3a ; , to members consideration when it came before them in committee. Sir Francis Bell turned to clause ob, providing that a - licensee required to furnish the association an inventory of stock-in-trade as on December Ist, 19X7. In respect to this, Mr Gray had asked at the Statutes Revision Committee that the olerk of the Licensing Bench should be compelled to notify all licensees accordingly, pointing out the danger of neglect for their failure to supply an inventory. Sir Francis said he disagreed with this. It -was unlikely that any licensee in New Zealand would- be unaware of this provision. He had voted, for the extension of the time of the coming into operation of the Act till December Ist, as ho considered it fair and reasonable. He would not, however, rote for the farther extension till after tho Christmas holidays. This would merely make the Act a farce. Clause 4a proposed to be inserted in the bill provided that a licensee, without prejudice to his right, may obtain the renewal of his license, and close the licensed premises during the continuance of the Act. This had been inserted at the particular request of Mr Jull, a prominent brewer. It was to meet the case in particular of village hotels, where the patrons of the hotel were away at work most of tho day. He proposed a further amendment that the premises closed under this section and once reopened- may not bo again closed under the authority of the section. The new clause 4o had -been proposed by the Hon. Mr MacGregor, and he would leave its explanation to that -gentleman. This clause proposed consequential alteration of the law as to chartered clubs. Clause 4d, containing the provision as to persons found on licensed premises during the hours the premises are to be closed, had been proposed by himself. A STRINGENT PROVISION. Part 3 of clause 4d contained- the stringent provision that no liquor Shalrtbo sold to or consumed by any persons except the licensee and the members of his family and; lodgers during the .prohibited hours, whether at a meal or otherwise. This proposed amendment might bo subject to objection.