PARLIAMENT.

West Coast Times, Issue 12282, 15 August 1902, Page 3

PARLIAMENT.

(Pee United Paicsr, Association.)

WBMiINOTOir, Aug 1*

The fVmnc'l met at 2 30.

The Hon Jones mcved that the Government in View of the alarming reports of the Inspector of Police and Oity Engineer of Wellington, as to the serious and unsatisfactory condition of a, large number of hotels in Wellington ahonld take steps to secure sucb reform as may be found necessary. Iv connection with these undesirable and. illegal drinking saloons, ta bring about the removal of such menaces to public aafety, health, and comfort describeJ in the report*. Tbe Hon Jones quoted reports from which he contended the law , had been seriously infringed, and under the circumstances he considsred it the duty of tbe Inspector to object to grant licenses to the bouses concerned. The Hon W. C. Walker replied that hotel axomodation in Wellington was not a great deil better than it bad been "previously, and ttiis was lately due to the fact that a menace was held over tbe heads of the owners because of there being no certain tenure. He, thought it would be a mistake if the administration of the Act by the Municipal Council was interfered with by the Government. The Hon Rifift said the condition of some of th« hotel* in Wellington was a <fugr*oo to the name. Tbe influence of the brewery and publican's interest was becoming a danger to the colony and. tbe only remedy was the Tied Houses Bill which he had introduced. The Hon Reeves thought that under proper conditions the best course was to grant free trade in licenses. He moved an amendment that all words after " necessary " be atruck out of the motion. Hou Boweu thought there was no doubt but 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 neoeasary accommodation. Hon Pinkerton suppoited the motion, Hon Jenkcnaon thought the obstacle to reform -was the joining hands of publicans and prohibitionists. Hon Bolt urged the State control of the traffic as the only remedy for abuses ia the trade. This view was concurred in by the Hon Toomey. Hons J W Smith and Feldwick supported the amendment. flon Fraser believed the motion would do good as it would direct attention of the owners of hotels -to the dissatisfaction existing. The motion as amended in the direction suggested by the Hon Reeves was agreed to on the voices. TheSatutes revision Bill was read a third time and passed. Bills aa to Public Work and Land Settlement were committed .and reported without amendment were also read a third time and passed the Council. '1 he Council rose at 4 .10 p.m.