THE LIQUOR TRADE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 17727, 11 September 1919, Page 5

THE LIQUOR TRADE

PROPOSAL FOR STATE CONTROL. PRIVATE MEMBER'S BILL. >Pb:b Ukited Press Association.) WELLINGTON, September 10. In the House of Representatives to-day on tho motion of Mr M'Callum, tho State Control and Licences Bill was read a first time. Tho mover explained that the Bill proposed— ri) The establishment of a department of licenses, with a Minister specially appointed to control it, and to become responsible to Parliament for the 1200 publicans' and accommodation licenses now in existence; also all brewers' and wholesale licenses, and all matters connected with the sale of alcoholic liquor. (2) The present licensing committees to have extended powers, such ts insisting upon increased accommodation being provided, both in rebuilding new hotels and existing ones, and generally as to administration and control, and to advise the Minister and his officers. (3) Local .option polls for continuance and restoration to bo continued; but to 1)0 held at longer intervals than formerly; a compensation fund to be established for loss of licenses through no fault of the licensees. Otfer provisions vers: No transfer, conveyance, or lease of any licensed premises shall be entered into without tho' consent of the Minister after five years; the present annual licensing fea to be abolished, and a percentage collected and paid to the local hnthoritv on all liquor bought for sale; no adultc-ation of any kind to be nermitted; breaking-down to bo done by the wholesale dealers under the department's supervision; analysts to be appointed, and stringent penalties for breaches; prices to he fixed by the department, both for the wholesaler and the retailer; tied houses to be entirely abolished, and this to apply to all goods, whether liquor or not, used in the business; a. fair rack rent only to be charged; trafficking in licenses to"bo made penal; no licensee to be qualified to hold a fresh license for a period of three years after transferring a license; one man one license, and wherever possible tho owner to conduct the business himself; th» Railway Department to have authority to establish, maintain, and conduct hotels (without open bars) at the principal stations throughout the dominion, this to be extended to the Tourist Department; all persons engaged in or about bars to be under the onntrol of the Minister; the fixing of the hours during which the premises may be open for the sale of liquor to be under tho control of the Minister and committee within certain limitations; power to bo given to the Minister to insist upon the accommodation of any licensed premises being increased, or in default the license cancelled, but with compensation; power to grant a license to suitable premises within a radius of 440 yds, in lieu of ono so closed; regulations for the conduct and control of the trade to be drawn up and submitted to Parliament within 14- days of the opening of the following session; further amendments to bo brought down each eession until such reforms are brought about as will obviate the necessity of further locnl option polls. Coming down to ereiter detail, Mr M'Callum said that under the Bill nil licensees would bo invited to form themselves into a guild to have direct control of all licenses, the Minister of Licenses and committee to be Ursely guided by the guild of licensees before granting a license or • renewing a license.