LICENSING REFORM.

Otago Witness, Issue 2856, 9 December 1908, Page 3

LICENSING REFORM.

SOME PERTINENT SUGGESTIONS.

Th« Chrietchurch Press, referring to licensing reform, says: — "It is easy to point I out th« evils which exist, but it must be confessed that it is not so easy to say definitely the best method of carrying out needed reforms. We agree" that it would be far more effective as a means 'of influencing public opinion if these came from the trade itself, but we can easily imagine that it may be a, difficult matter to get its members to act in unison. Even if they were to agree to abolieh barmaids after a, reasonable notice, although it undoubtedly would go a long way to allay opposition, we doubt if, at this period, it would keep back entirely the tide of prohibition. It is probable, we think, that more sweeping reforms still are necessary, now that the agitation has gone so far — reforms including the abolition of the open bar and the more flagrant abuses connected with the inflated rents paid for licensed premises. It is doubtful whether these will be carried out in anything lite a comprehensive stsie without legislation." The Press thinks it would be easy enough to remove the most objectionable features of the eale of liquor. The chief objection to municipal control is the heavy finanfc?al liability which would be imposed on the die+rict adopting the system, and the fact that sooner or later inefficiency and other abuses would creep into the management of munieipaJly-oontrolle<l industrial -trading; enterprises. It would prefer some legislation which, while not interfering with private ownership, would purge the present system of its wor^t features. "If that is impossible," sa^ys th© Press, '* then we would be prepared to allow the question of municipal control to be submitted as an alternative issue to the electors, so ac to give individual districts an opportunity of adopting it in preference to continuance, reduction, or no-license. If thoee inter-estc-d in the trade are wise we fhink they will 00-operate .vith the leaders of the Moderate party in drafting and assisting to pass come legislation which will put the business on a footing more acceptable to the rna-js of the electors. This may involve some diminution of profits, at anyrate at firfct. But the lessoned profits would be j compensated for by increa=ed security. At present it would 6eem that unless thetrade i= prepared to accept lower profits it may se<i' it^ businws wiped out altogether as an occupation rncogni-ed by law in the course of a comparati\"lj- few year*-"