THE LICENSING ACT.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XVI, Issue 4694, 14 June 1882, Page 3

THE LICENSING ACT.

(FROM ODB SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT.)

Wellington, June 14.

A deputation of licensed victuallers waited to-day on the following members : Messrs Hutchison, C. Johnston, Weston, Fitzgerald, Daniels, Sutton, and Munro, and made the following recommendations as to amendments in the Licensing Act, Robert Walker, of Prince of Wales Hotel, Wellington, acting as spokesman :— Licensing districts too small, should be Borough, County, or Road Board districts. Licensing benches should Denominated by the Government and not elective, as so few take interest in the elections. — Bottle license — none ; or one law for the whole colony. — Wine licenses — none ; as there is little or no wine made in New Zealand.—Get Sundays from Ito 3 (afternoon) and from 7 to 10.30 (evening) same as in the old country. If bottle licenses be continued, as at present in Otago and Nelson, a proportionate reduction should be made in publicans license fee.— Freedom of contract between employers and barmaids ; but not for longer than 10 hours.— Clauses providing endorsement of license should be expunged as a fine is sufficient. Licensing Benches always have power to refuse licenses to badly conducted houses. The effect of endorsement is out of all proportion to offence, and could be made the means of deterioration and almost confiscation of property. Section 170 should be struck out ; should not convict on presumptive evidence. Section 190 should be struck out, and provisions made to allow of appeal to the Supreme Court, as at present it is unfair and exceptional legislation for a trade which has a larger amount of money invested in it than any other business in the country. Sections 204 to 211 both inclusive should be struck out, as the clauses are legislation for criminals, the punishment being out of all proportion to the offence, and does not respect the rights of owners of property. The Licensing Benches always had power ro refuse licenses on proof of misconduct. Section 37— (2) Embodying an extra fee for additional bars should be amended to allow the holder of a publican's license to sell upon any part of his premises, especially in the case of a billiard room, without extra fee. Section 56— A return should be made to the old law in the mode of applying for license, especially in the case of renewals, and the fee of £40 is sufficient to cover all expenses. Section 124 expunged, and publicans are. to keep their lamps lit from sunset until the hour of closing. — Mr Hutchison, on behalf of other members, replied, generally agreeing in the suggestions made, and promising to support most of the amendments put by /the deputations. !