THE LICENSING LAW

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 19994, 10 November 1927, Page 7

THE LICENSING LAW

POINTS FROM THE BILL Important Changes in Present Act Proposed INTERESTING PROVISIONS. [ Special “ Chronicle ” Service. ] WELLINGTON, Nov. 9. In addition to the explanation given in the House of Rcpesentatives yesterday by Mr Coates, the Licensing Amendment Bill contains a number of important matters. The Bill is in three parts, and consists of 36 clauses. Clause 2 of parti provides that licensing polls shall bo taken simultaneously with every alternate general election of Members of Parliament. Only two issues are to be submitted to the elector, namely, Nation Continuance or National Prohibition. If the total number of valid votes recorded for National Prohibition is not less than 55 per cent, of the total number of valid votes recorded Prohibition shall be deemed to have been carried and will come into force on June 30 following. A 55 per cent, majority is necessary to carry National Restoration, the poll on this issue not to be taken until six years after. If the provision has been carried National Restoration will come into frocc three months after the poll has been taken, and licensing committeeo will be constituted in each licensing district. Licensing committee elections will take place every threr* years.

The number of publicans’ licenses to be granted shall not exceed one for every complete 500 electors nor be less than one for every complete 1000 electors.

Preference in considering the applications shall be given to those who held licenses before Prohibition was carried. The Bill provides for the taking of special polls in cases whore licensed premises have, by reason of the change of boundaries, been included in no-license district and boon subsequently excluded therefrom. The proposal to grant license in such district may be carried on a bare majority but the poll shall not be taken unless a petition signed by not less than .10 per cent, of the electors has been signed by not less than 10 per cent, of tho electors has been submitted to the Governor-General not later than June 30.

Clause 7 of the Bill provides that an irregular voting paper shall not be informal if the intention of the voter is clearly indicated. The principle of the Act will • not be applicable to the supply of liquor for medicinal purposes by registered chemists. If the Bill be carried a private bar will mean any bar other than a public bar ami will include any part of licensed premises which is principally or exclusively used for the sale, supply or consumption of intoxicating liquor. Every publican’s license granted or renewed after the passing of the Bill shall authorise the use of one public bar and may, if the licensing committee think fit, provide for the use of one or more private bars. The number of private bars is to be specified in the license, and an annual fee of £lO shall be paid into the Consolidated Fund in respect of each private bar. Any person selling liquor in other than an authorised bar shall be deemed to have sold liquor without a license. The exhibition of imitation voting papers or posters within three days of licensing poll is to be forbidden. The Bill contains important provisions in regard to the accommodation of hotels. In boroughs of more than 10,000 inhabitants no licenses for new premises shal be granted unless they contain at least 20 rooms for the public in addition to those required for the publican’s family. An objection may be raised to the granting of license in cases where bars are not provided with a proper hot-water service or where there is not deemed to be sufficient sanitary or other accommodation for the comfort or convenience of guests. On the grant or renewal of license the committee may impose conditions requiring the licensee, within a specified time, to effect what is considers necessary alterations, repairs or additions to the premises, and failure to comply with the conditions will entail the suspension of the license until such time as the work shall have been carried out. The holders of New Zealand wine licenses will be under an obligation to maintain order on their premises. The Bill provides for the transfer of wholesale licenses. It will not be an offence to publish advertisements relating to liquor in no-license districts unless the Court is satisfied that the advertisements are published with the intention of procuring orders for liquor from those districts.

No woman other than the licensee or the wife, daughter, mother or sister of a licensee or a woman bona fide employed on licensed premises with the approval of the licensing committee as a housekeeper, shall be employed in any bar at the time when the premises are required to be closed. The Bill imposes a penalty of £lO on anyone excepting parents or guardians who supplies liquor to persons under 21 years of The provisions of section 10 of the Sale of Liquor Restrictions Act 1917 have been modified to allow of the serving of liquor at. banquets in hotels up till 10 o’clock in the evening. A permit to this effect shall not be granted to any society or association more than once within six months. An unregistered barmaid is liable to a fine of £lO. The liccnsess who fail to keep lodgers’ register books shall be liable to a penalty of £lO. The Governor-General may make regulations prescribing how these books shall be kept. PROS AND CONS OPINION IN THE LOBBIES THE BILL FROM VARIOUS VIEWPOINTS [ Special “ Chronicle ” Service. J WELLINGTON, Nov. 9. Conflicting opinions are expressed by members of Parliament regarding the Licensing Amendment Bill and It is

impossible to predict with any degree of accuracy what will happen to it, assuming that it gets into Committee. Some of the ardent Prohibitionists in the House are favourable to a second reading, in order that they may have a chance of moving amendments !n Committee. It is assumed, therefore, that the second reading will be granted. Just what will happen when the Bill reaches Committee is a matter of the keenest speculation in the lobbies. It is admitted* that consideration oi the Bill will take a long time. As tc what is to bo its ultimate fate depends very largely on the pledges which members have given. The exact position on this point is not clear. While it appears that many members have pledged themselves to a tw</-issue ballot paper and a bare majority, it was stated to-day with some degree of confidence that there is a margin of about three mem- i bors who are in favour of a two issue ballot paper, but who have not committed themselves on the bare majority issue. The 55-45 Proposal It is assumed in some quarters, therefore, that, so far as the proposal in the Bill for a 55 per cent majority is concerned, it has a fair chance of acceptance in the House. Many members, of course, do not like the elimination of the State Control issue, but some say they arc prepared- to compromise on this provided the 55-45 basis is retained. The opinion is hazarded by some that (he Bill has a chance of going through very much on its present lines, as they consider it very fairly adjusted, the differences between the conflicting interests and represented a sincere and statesmanlike effort to grapple with the licensing question. Others favoured the Bill on the grounds that the 55-45 proposal made, for stability and was, therefore, worthy of support. The view was also put forward that the proposals in the Bill are of such a nature that members need not feel bound to adhere to tl.e strict letter of their pledges, as there is contained in the measure a chance of gaining, not only stability, but some tangible improvement in the licensing system.