THE LICENSING BILL

Wanganui Herald, Volume LII, Issue 15678, 2 December 1918, Page 7

THE LICENSING BILL

OUTLINE OF ITS PROVISIONS. DRASTIC PENALTIES PROVIDED. (From Our Parliamentary Special.— By Telegraph.) WELLINGTON, December 2. The Licensing Bill was again revised by Cabinet on Saturday afternoon, when important alterations were made, several clauses being deleted and others substituted. The most important of these dealt with the effects of the poll, method of determination, and distribution of compensation. It had been alternatively arranged that a special referendum should be held not later than March 31st, but it is now definitely decided that it will be hold early in April, the actual date to be gazetted, thus affording time for the preparation of new rolls. The Bill is divided iflto three parts. The first deals with a special licensing poll on the Efficiency Board’s proposals, with a bare majority; the second with the results of it, if National Continuance is carried at the special poll; the third with the results if National Continuance is carried at the ordinary licensing poll. The measure contains, in all, seventy-one clauses, and two schedules setting out the ballot forms. If Prohibition is carried by the referendum, it comes into force on June 30th next. 'There is a penal clause for breaches against the Prohibition law. For the first offence, a defendant is liable to a fine of £IOO. and for the second and subseqent offences to three months without the option. In the case ot the defendant being a body corporate, the fine for the first offence is £2OO, and for subsequent offences £IOOO. If Prohibition is carried, compensation ie to be paid out of the liquor Trade Compensation Account appropriated by Parliament, the Finance Minister being empowered to borrow four and a half millions for the purpose, at a rate of interest Ministerially prescribed. The following will be entitled to compensation : —Brewers, owners and lessees, wholesalers, wine-makers, malsters, owners of hop kilns, and vignerus. ; The last named will be compensated only for depreciation of the freehold value of their vineyard. In addition to these, employees of brewers and hotel servants will also be compensated for loss of occupation. Compensation is to be paid brewers for depreciation in value of land, plant, and termination of trade, owners, lessees, licensees, and wholesalers for termination of trade only, but, respecting owners and lessees, furniture is included. No compensation is to be paid on stocks of alcoholic liquor held when Prohibition operates. livery holder, including chartered clubs, is entitled to export stocks within six months after the lapse of a license. Compensation Courts are to be set up, each consisting of a Magistrate and two assessors, from whose derision there will lie no appeal, but legdl points may be submitted to the Supreme Court- Penalties are provided for any person attempting to corrupt any member of the Court, the punishment being hard labour not exceeding five years or a fine of £IOOO, or both. Employees’ claims are to be heard by a Magistrate alone. If the referendum, fails to cany Prohibition, provision is made for new issues at the ordinary poll, these being as previously stated. Important alterations are made, however, respecting the decision. No vote shall be valid unless the voter strikes out two of the three proposals. and no proposal shall be declared carried unless it secures more than half the total votes recorded. If Prohibition without compensation be carried at the ordinary poll, it will come into force on the June 30th following. If, however. State purchase and control be carried, such shall come into force not more than one year after the poll. If State ownemliip be carried it will not be operative in No-Liccnso districts, unless Restoration is carried by a threefifths majority.