H—3B

compulsory taking of land, including in the total amount a sum equal to three years' net profits. The A shares were to be allotted to the Government. Dividends were to be limited to 10 per cent, per annum, the dividends on the Government shares to be applied first in paying up those shares. All profits above 10 per cent, were to be applied to national purposes. The Corporation was to consist of nine persons, of whom the Government would nominate five, including the Chairman, and the B shareholders would elect the remaining four. The Government was always to have a majority on the Board. The Corporation, with the assistance of a district Licensing Board, was to issue .permits to sell alcoholic liquors, and the permit holders were to become tenants of the Corporation. A permit was to be issued upon the condition that a hotel wasmaintained at a high standard and adequate accommodation provided to meet the requirements of the public. There was to be an appeal to a Magistrate by any person affected. The Corporation was to supervise the retail trade, and trafficking in licenses at fictitiously high values was to be abolished. If corporate control were carried by the electors, there was to be no further poll for nine years. The powers of the Corporation were not to apply to clubs. 205. Pending the adoption of corporate control by a vote of the people the reformers made the following proposals for the improvement of the trade by immediate legislation : 1. That a special Department, or a Branch of an existing Department, be specifically charged with the duty of supervising the manufacture, importation, and sale of alcoholic liquors and all matters in connection with the laws relating thereto. 2. That the present system of elective Licensing Committees be abolished, and that the Dominion be divided into licensing districts in such manner that three Stipendiary Magistrates would constitute a permanent Licensing Committee for each district. 3. That such Licensing Committees investigate all matters relating to the granting of licenses, covering the fitness of the applicant and the terpas under which the applicant is to occupy licensed premises. 4. That, in order to prevent trafficking in licenses, transfers should not be allowed under three years, except through sickness or death or other special circumstances. 5. That the penalties for allowing drunkenness on the premises and for illegal trading and all abuses of license be more strictly enforced. The licensee to be at all times personally responsible for the acts of his servants. 6. That no man shall act as a barman without a license granted by the Licensing Committee, or by the Chairman and any two members thereof. Provided that a man may be employed as a barman for any period not exceeding fourteen consecutive days without a license. That all convictions against a barman should be endorsed on his license; that his license should be cancelled after three endorsements. That every barmaid be required to make a statutory declaration before a magistrate that she is entitled to hold a license under the existing provisions of the law. 7. That where a conviction for a serious breach of the Licensing Act -is obtained, the Magistrate should be given power to declare the person convicted unfit to hold a publican's license ; subject always to the right of appeal to a Judge of the Supreme Court by the person affected. 8. That, with a view to lessening the consumption of spirits, legislation be promoted to provide for the establishment, in certain premises upon the termination of any lease, of the cafe system for the sale of light wines and beer only. 9. That there be a redistribution of redundant licenses from one licensing district to another if necessary, more in accordance with the needs of the population in the various districts. 10. That the Government establish a standard basis of quality for all liquors imported and manufactured, and institute a scheme of rigid examination in both wholesale and retail houses to ensure that all liquoxs dispensed be in strict accordance with such standard quality and true to labeJ.' No license to be granted to any manufacturer, importer, or retailer except under such regulations as will secure conformity to such standard basis. 11. That no extension of hours of sale of liquor in chartered -clubs should be allowed, but that provision should be made whereby members of such clubs are allowed to adopt the locker system. That provision should be made with regard to the extension of hours during which liquor may be consumed on club premises for special occasions, each such extension to be granted under a permit and for a particular room in the club. No permits exceeding six in number should be granted in the case of any one club in any one year. That the power to revoke the license of a chartered club provided in section 9 of the Sale of Liquor Restriction Act, 1917, should be modified on the ground that the present penalty is too drastic. 12. That the licensing law should be so amended as to put restaurants and hotels on the same footing as halls or other rooms in regard to'the consumption of liquor at social gatherings, provided a permit is first obtained from the police for. this piirpose.

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