LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume XXXXVII, Issue 11713, 15 August 1902, Page 5

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

Per Press Association. WELLINGTON, August 14

The Council met at 2.30.

Tho Hon. Mr Jones moved that tho Government, in view of the alarming reports of the Inspector of Police and City Engineer of Wellington as to the seriously unsatisfactory condition of a large number of hotels in Wellington, should take steps to secure such reforms as may ba necessary in connection with these undesirable and illegal drinking saloons to bring about the removal of menaces to the public safety, health, and comfort described in the reports. The Hon. Mr Jones quoted the reports, from which, lie contended, it was clear the law had been seriously infringed. Under the circumstances ha considered it the duty of the Inspector to object to granting licenses to the houses concerned.

The Hon. W. C. Walker re-ilied that the hotel accommodation in Wellington was now a great deal better than previously, and looking to the fact that menace was. held over the heads of owners becarise of there being no certain tenure, he thought it would be. a mistake if the administration of the Act by the Mivnicpal Council was interfered with by the Government.

The Hon. Mr Rigg said the condition of some of the hotels in Wellington was a disgrace to the city. The influence of brewers and publicans was becoming a danger to the colony. The only remedy was the Tied Houses Bill which ac had introduced.

The Hon. Mr Reeves thought that in order to ensure proper conditions the bef?b course to pursue was to grant free trade in licenses. He moved an arnicdnmeufc that all words after "necessary" be struck out of the motion.

The Hon. Mr Bowen thought there was no doubt that the licensing law had not been enforced. A great many of the houses were merely'places to stand up and drink in, and lacked every other necessary accommodation.

The Hon. Mr Pinkerfcon supported the motion.

The Hon. Mr Jenkinson thought the obstacle to remove was the joining of hands of publicans and prohibitionists.

The Hon. Mr Bolt urged State control of the traffic; as the only remedy for the abuses of the trade, a. view concurred in by the Hons. Lee-Smith and Twomey. The Hon. Mr Feldwick 'supported the amendment.

The Hon. Mr Fraser believed the motion would do good, as it would direct the attention of owners of hotels to the dissatisfaction existing.

The motion, as amended in the direction suggested by the Hon. Mi: Reeves, was agreedl to on the voicesl.

The Statutes Rereal Bill was read a third time and passed.

The Aids to Public Works and Land Settlement Bill was committed, reported without amendment, read a third time, and passed.

The Council rose at 4.10 p.m.