CANTEENS.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume IX, Issue 450, 9 March 1899, Page 18

CANTEENS.

In view of the approaching Easter encampment the following remarks with reference to canteens will prove of interest to the public generally, as well as to the volunteers; —When it was decided that the N.Z. Rifle Association meeting should be held at Patiki, the question arose as to the establishment of a canteen where liquor could be purchused, or the obtaining of a conditional license by one of the local hotelkeepers under “ The Licensing Act, 1881, for the sale of liquor at the camp to the men engaged in shooting and the general public. Mr Hartshorn, licensee of the Railway Hotel, applied for a conditional license, but as the members ot the committee who attended to consider the application and the police authorities were unanimously of opinion that it was doubtful whether the committee had any power to grant a conditional license, and as it was intimated to them that in any event a canteen would be established by the commanding officer, Mr Hartshorn decided to withdraw his application for a conditional license and leave the officer in command ,of the camp to establish a canteen under “ The Defence Act,” and regulations if he had power to do so. Section 3of the “ Licensing Act, 1881,” provides that “nothing in this Act shall apply to any military canteen established.by law,” and section 36 of the same Act gave the Licensing Committee power to grant a conditional license for the sale of liquor at, among other places, a “ military encampment.” In 1886 “The Defence Act” was passed, and by section 4 it is provided that the Governor may make regulations “ regulating the establishment and conduct of canteens in camps of exercise or other assemblies of volunteers,” and by section 3 the word “ camp” means “ any special assembly of any portion of the defence forces for instruction or training aud exercise at a particular place authorised or ordered by the Commander-m-Chief or other competent authority.” Then came “The Naval and. Military Forces Discipline Act, 1888,” which provides (section 5) that the provisions of the “ Licensing Act, 1881,” shall not be deemed to extend or apply to any camp authorised by the Minister of Defence ” In February, 1895, regulations (Gazette 1895, p. 390) were made under the “ Defence Act, 1886,” as to the establishment and conduct of canteens, and No. 295 of these regulations provides that “ canteens being established for the exclusive use and convenience of the troops, civilians are not to be served by canteen tenants unless in the company of a member of the force.” The law as it at present stands is certainly somewhat vague and confused, and needs amendment. The power to establish a canteen or booth at the N.Z. Rifle Association meetings and other similar gatherings where drink can be purchased by the men and public generally should certainly be more clearly defined.