GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 12432, 15 August 1902, Page 5

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

THURSDAY,. AUGUST 14, The Council met at 2.30 p.m.

WELLINGTON HOTELS.

The Hon. G. JONES moved —"That tho Government, in viow of tho alarming reports of the Inspector of Polico and City Engineer of Wellington as to the serious and unsatisfactory, condition of a large number of hotels in Wellington, should take steps to secure such reforms as may bo nccessary in connection with these undesirablo and illegal drinking saloons to bring alxmt a removal of menaces to public safety, health, and comfort, described in the reports," Mr Jones quoted the reports, and contended that tho law had boon eoriously infringed. Under tho circumstances, he considered it tho duty of tho inspector to objcot to tho granting of lioaii6es to the houses concerned. Tho Hon. W. C. WALKER replied that hotel accommodation in Wellington was now a great deal better than previously, and, looking to the fact that a menaco was held ever the heads of owners because of there being no certain tenure, lie thought it wsuld be a mistake if the administration of tho act by the .Municipal Council wa9 interfered with by tho Government. Tho Hon. Mr RIGG said tho condition of some hotels in Wellington was a disgrace to the city. The influence of the brewera end publicans was becoming a danger to the colony. The only romcdy was tho Tied Houses Bill which he had introduced. The Hon. Mr REEVES thought under proper conditions tho best course to pursue was to grant freetrnde in licensor. He moved as an amendment-" That all the words after ' necessary' be struck out of the motion." Tho Hon. .Air BOWEN thought thore was no doubt but that, the licensing law had not been onforccd. A great many of the homos woro merely places to stand up and drink m, and lacked every other necessary accommodation. The Hon. MrPINKERTON supported the motion. The Hon. Mr JENKINSON thought tho obstacle to reform was tho joining hands of publicans and prohibitionists. The Hon. Mr BOLT urged Stato control of tho traffic as the only remedy for the abuses in tho trade, a view concurred in bv the Hon. .Messrs TWOMEY and LEE SMITH. The Hon. Mr FELDWICK supported the amendment. Ihe Hon. Mr- ERASER believed the motion would do good, as it would dircct the attention of owners of hotels to the dissatisfaction existing. "The motion, as, amended in the direction suggested by the Hon. Mr Reeves, was agreed to on the voices. BILLS PASSED. Tho Statutes Repeal Bill was read a third time and passed.. Tho Aids to Public Works and Land Settlement Bill was committed, reported without amendment, read, a third time and passed. The Council rose at 3.10 p.m.