OUR LIQUOR LAWS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 14441, 6 February 1909, Page 6

OUR LIQUOR LAWS.

VISITOR SEEKING INFORMATION. (Fnou Oun Own Correspondent.) WELLINGTON", February 5. Amongst the arrivals in New Zealand to-day is Mr 11. A. linking, police magistrate of Queensland. He came to the Dominion in search of information. He is concerned principally with the working of the liquor laws. The Queensland Go° vcrmwnl intends bringing its licensing legislation more up to date. ilr Ranking will study the general result in New Zealand of the. diminution ami total abolition of licenses in particular districts (16 regards the visible effects upon social ,-vnd civic improvements, the diminution in crime, the effect on Customs revenue, and generally as to how the well-bciug of the community had been, or seemed to have l>ccn, alTeetcd; also as to tire system of taking licensing polls, whether they ehould be taken on the same day as the general election's polling and the majority required for carrying the issues submitted; as to the system of giving coinpen«ition for licenses removed; as to the discrimination, if any, lietwcen license fees in various portions of the same city; as to any system existing by which license fees vary in regard to the amount of trade done; and as to the question of wholesale spirit merchants, Sunday trading, and tho adulteration of liquor.