Wellington Independent THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 1871.

Wellington Independent, Volume XXVII, Issue 3125, 16 February 1871, Page 2

Wellington Independent THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 1871.

Since our last notice of the Auckland Permissive Bill, sve have, obtained a copy of the document, as it passed the Provincial Council and received the assent of the Superintendent. We have also received a copy of the bill intended lo be introduced into the Legislature of Victoria by Mr Higinbotham, and which will be made the test for candidates at the coming elections in that colony, by the temperance party, who are said to have 5000 votes. Mr Higinbotham's bill is identical, or nearly so, with that which Sir Wilfred Lawson intiodured nto the British Parli aments, und which we lately reprinted. The Auckland measure differs most materially on two points, The former :'s more decidedly prohibitory, the latter leaves to a certain extent, a middle course to the electors. The differences between them are these : 1. Mr Higinbotham proposes, as Sir W. Lawson does, to give the controlling power to two-thirds of the ratepayers. These in general will be males, but few women ranking amongst the number. The Auckland measure gives the power to two-thirds of the adults of both sexes; thus giving to the wives and mothers of the community that fair share of power which they ought to have in the decision of a question on which domestic happiness so largely depends. The Auckland Council is entitled to everlasting honor for this bold stroke of social justice. Will Mr Higinbotham not follow suit. 2. Mr Higginbotham and Sir Wilfred Lawson provide that whenever twothirds of the ratepayers in any district shall decide that the act shall be in force therein, there shall be a total prohibi tion of the issue of licenses. The Auckland measure gives the residents the power of refusing or granting each individual application ; and the veto will apply only to such licenses as they think proper — leaving any to which they do not ohject to be granted or refused by the Magistrates ; subject only to this proviso, that two-thirds of the residents may direct the Magistrates to grant any license they think proper, whether the Magistrates approve it or not. 3. The method of ascertaining the vote is also different. By Mr Higginbotham's and Sir W. Lawson's bills, the duty is imposed on the Magistrates of distributing voting papers and calling them in. By the Auckland act private parties will sign a memorial expressing their desire that a license be refused or granted : the responsibility of deciding whether it represents two-thirds of the residents laid on the Magistrates ; who will no doubt be guided by the Government census, subject to such temporary corrections as their local knowledge may suggest. The almost sudden passing of the measure at Auckland appears to have taken many by surprise. We are assured however that the Temperance party "mean business." The " Southern Cross" says: — "In the almost unanimous acceptance of the Permissive principle in the Licensing Bill on January 17, the Provincial Council has inaugurated a sweeping retorm, unparalleled in the legislation of the province. There has been no compromisc'in the action of the Council. Licensed and unlicensed houses alike will come under the operation of the popular veto at the firsi annual licensing meeting. JN"ew districts and old, city hotels and bush hostelries, are dealt out equal justice. And though several honorable members questioned the rapid application of the principle, we mistake the zeal of those who have so persistently pressed the subject on the ! attention of legislators and the public, if i we are not on the eve of an agitation for the practical application of the victory to which the past affords but a faint 1 parallel." The opponents of Permissive Bills generally predict their failure in the large towns. Probably they will not be efficient in those, so early as in country districts. But the experience of the United States proves that they will make their way even in the largest cities, as public opinion becomes enlightened on the question. A friend informs us that he was in Boston on the day when the Maine Liquor Law came into force in Massachusetts. No onednred to attempt to enforce it in the city, though it was carried out in the country districts. But now the law, which though somewhat modified is still strictly prohibitory is rigidly enforced, and has the public sympathy and support. The following extract from the British Alliance paper, published in Manchester, proves that though infractions of the law are at:

tempted in large American cities they are vigorously put down, and that equally when committed by small retailers and great wholesale importers. Nothing of the kind, we are assured, could have been attempted fifteen years ago. Some good people, like the Bishop of Manchester and Mr Bass, M.P., are still a little sceptical as to whether there is any prohibitory liquor law in actual existence in Massachusetts or anywhere else; and even when compelled to admit that the law is on tho statute book, they are nob clear as to whether it is ever enforced, or can be enforced. Perhaps these unbelieving friends of the cause of temperance will like to see some positive information that may relieve them from their doubting and anxiety about so important a matter, in which some of them have so deep an interest, directly or indirectly. For the benefit of these cautious friends we clip two or three items of intelligence from the " Boston Journal," Friday, Oct. 14th, 1870, adding that these are but samples of many such paragraphs we could cull from almost every newspaper that comes to hand from the New England States : — Charlestown, a Sttbtteb or Boston, Ltquob Seizuees. — Seizures were made on Wednesday from the following parties in Charlestown :— J. Sweeny, Everett street; James M'Curthy, Medford street ; Patrick Sullivan, Medford street ; and John Kent, Bainbridge street. Constable Souther, of Ward 1, made seizures from James Murphy, Henly street ; John Toomey, Charles River Avenue ; Jeremiah Lejon, Front street 5 Michael Driacull, Front street. Raid bx the Constabulary : Wobobstee, Mass., Oct 13.— State constables Hoir and j Russell made an extensive raid on various wholesale liquor firms in this city this morning. The establishment of Lorthrop Dorman, Jeremiah Foley, and Dennis Or. Temple | were visited, and liquore to the amount of 1500 to 2000 gallons were seized. Boston : Liqctob Seizuees.— Yesterday l'quor seizures were made from John Davis and Dennis J. Grorman, 257, Broad street ; Edward J. Holland, 285, Broad street ; Stephen Cheney, 31, Essex street ; John Kenny, 1 and 2, Mason street ; John Shaeban, 9, Sou'h street ; Henry Meyer, 5, Boylston street; John Gh Walker, 64>, South-etreet ; Tho-nes Hayden, 201, Congress street ; Henry Orpin, 290, Federal street; and George F. j Boynton, 633, Trejmont-street. Here we have unmistakeable evidence that | the law is in practical and potent operation, making raids on liquor dealers, wholesale and retail, in the principal cities of Massachusetts, | including Boston itself. And these raids are made without any uneual sensation, or the least attempt to resist by force or by riot of any kind, proving that public opinion upholds the law." The following is the permissive clause of ihe Auckland Licnsing Act : — 23. No certificate or license shall be granted within any electoral ward of the city of Auckland, or within any town or highway district, or in respect of any house or premises within such electoral ward of the city of Auckland, or within any town or highway district in which two-thirds of the adult resident population, male and female, shall by memorial signed by them, and addressed to the justices at such annual licensing meeting, in the form in schedule I. hereunto annexed, request that no such certificate or license be granted in respect of any individual house within any electoral ward of the city of Auckland, or within any town or highway district; and, whenever, in the case of any application for any publican's license, a memorial shall be presented to the justices to whom such application is being made, signed by two-thirds of the adult residents of the electoral ward of the city of Auckland, town, or highway district, in whichever ot such places the premises for which such license is sought shall be situate, requesting that such application be granted, such justices (if all other conditions required by this act shall have been complied with) shall thereupon grant such license : Provided however that all necessary facts in connection with sui^i memorial shall be proved in the same manner as this act requires, in the case of a memorial against the granting of any such license, and that such memorial shall bo in the form of schedule I. hereunto annexed : Provided nevertheless that in the case of an application for a license of any premises not situate either within twenty miles of the city of Aucklund, or within the limits of any proclaimed goldfields, such justices shall, before refusing such license, satisfy themselves, if in all other respects the requirements of this act shall be complied with, that there exists in tho district in which such premises are situate sufficient accommodation for travellers. Sec. 37. Brings clubs practically within the operation ot" the permissive clause. Sec. 52. Inflicts heavy penalties and seizure for sly grog selling. Sec. fc3. Inflicts penalties fer serving habitual drinkers. 1