THE LICENSING BILL.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 4428, 4 July 1882, Page 3

THE LICENSING BILL.

PUBLIC MEETING.

A public m eting to consider the proposed amendments to the present Licensing Act was held last evening, in the Templar Hall, Worcester street, at eight o'clock. About 80 were present, and Mr J. P. Jameson wa» voted to the chair.

The Chairman said hiß presenoe might be taken as expressive of bis sympathy in the object of the meeting, and although he did not think that legislation would do all that some people thought in the way of making (?ood citizens, it might prevent many becoming bad members of Sooiety. He objected to the proposed legislation, and*altbough' some portions of tho present Licensing Acfc might be not altogether what .was wanted, still ho thought that the Act as at present existing should have a trial. He had great pleasure in calling upon the Dean of Ohristchuroh to move the first resolution.

The Dean of Ohristchuroh moved—** That this meeting is in favour of the present Licensing Act receiving a fair trial, and it strocgly opposed to any alterationteing made in the Act in the manner laid down in the Licensing Act Amendment Bill now before the House." In proposing this resolution, he wished it understood that no hasty change in legislation was desirable, either in this matter or any other tubject likely to come before the General Assembly, and it was detirable that the present Act should have a fair trial. Buoh action would stamp a charaoter for fickleness and instability of purpose in the people Of the Colony. If any abuse could be proved, or any orying evil, why then remedy it as soon as possible ; but this had not been proved, and the Act deserved a fair trial, as it wa» not open to any such grave objections. The speaker then glanced at the amendments bofors the House in this matter, criticising them adversely, contending that the present Act should have at least three years' trial. He was glad to Bay that the early closing is. Lyttelton on Saturday night was productive of an unwonted feeling of quiet in the port. M? C. M. Gray seconded the resolution, hailing with satisfaction the fact that the opposition to the preient Act emanated from the Licensed Victuallers' Association. This he took to be a good sign; and the only thing he would like to see altered wobld be that the pc-- • to grant midnight licenses Bhould be l» - = away from the Licensing Committees.

The reßolu' ■ :, was carried unanimously. Mr J. T. « ith moved— " That, in the event of any alteration being made in the hours of dosing publio-houses, this meeting would recommend the total abolition of mid* night licenses, and the adoption of 10 o'clock as the uniform time for the whole Colony." The time had not jet come when the liquor traffic would be thoroughly abolished, and he was glad to think that publ ; o opinion was fast going in tbatclirecrion. He wanted to see this traffic curtailed ; the time for its extinction had not yot arrired, but it would come. M» knew that shorter hours meant less drunJcenneef, and therefore he was in favour of the movement.

Mr Forrest briefly seconded the resolution, which, on being put, was passed without dissent. ■

Mr John Cameron proposed— er that this meeting most emphatically' protests against any proposal that maybe made for legalising the sale of intoxicating liquors on the Sabbath day." To wished to deal with, thereligious aspec ■■' the question, hoping that the day woui>> «-rer come when drink would be openly sol - . ■■> Now Zealand on Sundays. If, as was st»* ■'►■:, come hotel-keepers broke' the law by > urroptitious Sunday-trading, wtiy, let the police put it down. Mr fiamilton seconded the motion, which, was carried unanimously.

The Bey B. Beßt proposed— " That thit meeting is of opinion that for the purpose* of Local Option, all adults, male and female,, over 21 years of age be entitled to rote, and tho manner of taking the votes to be the same as that provided in the Licensing Act for 1873." He would not detain them long any movement like this his warmest ' sym* pathy, as the liquor traffic was an iniquitous one, and its limitation, aye, its extermination would have his heartiest support. Mr Fisher seconded the motion, which, on boitig put, was. oarried without a dissentient.

Mr H. Bennetts proposed — "That local option be extended to existing licenses, and not confined to naw houses as at preeont." Local option was the people's right, and he would like to, see it exercised in rooting out some of the hotels that had degenerated into mere drinking shop?, without oaring to accommodate travellers, for which purpos©ther were established.

Mr Butter/Leld seconded the motion, which, was also oarriod unanimously.

Mr CM. Gray moved, and it was agreed to — " That copies of the foregoing resolutions* be forwarded to the members for Okristohuroh South and 1 North, and also to the Colonial Beo»9tftry. Avoto of thanks to the Chairman, the Dean, and the Bey ,Mr Bast eonoluded th» prooeedings.