THE LICENSING LAW.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 6282, 13 September 1898, Page 1

THE LICENSING LAW.

[Per Press Association.] AUCKLAND, Sept. 12. A meeting was held in the Foresters' Hall after the services in the churches last evening, for the purpose of protesting against the action of the Licensing Committee in granting an extension of the hours for the sale of liquor, without notice being given of their intention. There wa3 a large attendance. The Chairman read resolutions, passed during the evening service, against the action of the committee from the Helping and Central Missions, Alexandra Street Primitive Methodist Church, Eden Terrace Primitive Methodist Church, Union Free Church, Archhill, Pitt Street and Edwin Street Wesleyan Churches, and Church of Christ. The following motions were carried unanimously : — " (1) That this meeting begs to express its. strong disapprobation of the action of those members of the Licensing Committee who, casting aside all pretence of judicial responsibility, broke faith with the general public, and also deprived them of the opportunity to voice their wishes on the question of the extension of hours for the licensed sale of intoxicating liquors, and granted the same against the strenuous opposition of the police, and despite the fact that for fourteen years the city has enjoyed the boon of ten o'clock closing, determined in the first instance by a strong vote at the ballot-box, and never yet revised. (2) That recognising, as we do, the importance of the Police Force as a social power in the community, we express our hearty appreciation of their action in opposing the extension of hours to eleven o'clock, and in their endeavours to get the Licensing Committee to grant an iadjournment in order that an expression of public opinion might be obtained, and that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to Commissioner Tunbridge and to Inspector Cullen. We express our thanks to the Government in acceding to our request not to ; grant special facilities for the sale of liquor in connection with the exhibition." At a meeting of hotelkeepers with regard to the observance of eleven o'clock closing and the cessation of Sunday trading, it was determined not to leave the matter to the police, but to take action personally to see that the law is observed. A caution will be given in the first case, and, if this proves ineffectual, the police will be informed. The publicans complain that clubs are not under the same law as themselves with regard to Sunday trading.