THE LICENSING BILL.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XII, Issue 715, 19 November 1903, Page 23

THE LICENSING BILL.

OPINIONS OF BOTH SIDESAs our readers are aware, the I icensing Bill was refused committal on Wednesday of last week, but the news arrived too* late for insertion in last issue. The division on the motion to commit the bill was, against 38, for 36. The subjrct is referred to in the leading columns, but we give below the views of two prominent Auckland members of the ’trade and of two well-known prohibitionists, ascommunicated by them to press interviewers . Mr Leo. M. Myers said he was disappointed that the opportunity was not. taken to freely discuss the various clauses of the Bill. “ Whatever one’s opinion may be concerning it,” he remarked, “ therewas at least sufficient merit in it to justify discussion. I may take this opportunity of expressing my regret that provision was made in the Bill for removing the disqualification that now exists on those engaged in the Trade from sitting on licensing benches. I assert without hesitation that there is not a member of the Trade in the colony but is of opinion that it would be highly improper for brewers, hotelkeepers, or wine and spirit merchants to occupy a judicial position in the regulation of licensing matters. Whilst the Bill contained several clauses that were objectionable to the Trade —particularly the brewers —it cannot be denied that many clauses would have met the views of the more moderate section of the community, and have assisted in still further improving the regulation of the traffic throughout the colony. Had the Bill been introduced earlier in the session I have no doubt a different fate would have befallen it.” Asked what he had ta say regarding the famous “ no-license-no-grog ” clause (clause 8), Mr Myers' replied ; “ The inconsistency of the prohibition party, as evidenced by their attitude towards this clause, is For a considerable time past they have been urging the Premier, to prevent theimportation of liquor into the King Country as the only reasonable means,, in theiropinion, of carrying prohibition into practical effect. The Premier, thinking that, what was good for the King Country under prohibition would be good for any other district under similar condition®,, embodied that principle in clause 9. But. the prohibition party, instead of receiving this with acclamation, seemed to fear some dire political mischief to them, underlying it, and opposed it tooth and nail. I must admit that I am not surprised at the fate of the Bill, however, asthe delay in introducing it, and subsequently in following it up, was necessarily fatal.”

Mr Moss Davis ‘claimed that “ theTrade ” has been most successful in regard to licensing matters. The second reading of the Bill, he says, was taken on the absolute principles of the Bill. The division shows only what he expected,, and what has now been admitted on both sides —that the Bill was brought down too late in the session. Members would not,.

at this late stage, remain in Wellington to debate any measure that was likely to occupy much of their time, the session being already a record one for New <Zealand, and members who had announced their support for the Bill and voted for the second reading, voted on Wednesday night last against going on with it this session. Mr Davis claims that “ the Trade ” by not opposing clause 9, have been the true advocates of temperance, while the prohibition party have now oprnly advocated the consumption of liquor, and have also declined to allow prohibition to be carried out in its true and entire form in any district where the people have desired and have voted to Stop the consumption of liquor. He claims this as a victory, as the prohibition advocates, by deserting their cause, have sounded its death knell for the colony of New Zealand.

The Rev. F. W. Isitt, secretary of the New Zealand Alliance, said he was notgreatly surprised at the result. It had been exceedingly dill cult for to accurately gauge the position. “As to eing satisfied with the result,” said Mr 4tt, “ we should indeed be an unreasonable lot if we were not more than satisfied, and in exuberant spirits.” He contrasted the position between 1900 and 1903, pointing out how greatly the nolicense movement had progressed since the former year, and went on to say that with the victory of 1902, the tactics of “ the Trade ” revealed and the menaces of the Premier falling on the ears of the people, the party was kept in a /quiver of intense expectation, and was filled with an earnest purpose. The interest in the licensing question had not dropped one iota since November, 1902, and was keener now than ever it was in the history of the movement. “ The immediate future is full of hope to us and menace to ‘ the Trade,’ ” concluded Mr Isitt. Mr R. French, chairman of the Auckland Prohibition League, said there was little that need now be said regarding the defunct Bill. He was satisfied with the result of the division, which, together with the Premier’s remarks on the question, showed the strength of temperance sentiment in the colony. Finality, however, he said, was not yet reached in the licensing law, the present Act being far from perfect, but further developments must, he claimed, be in harmony with the temperance sentiment of the day. Mr French said that, in his opinion, the result of the division also showed a distrust, on the part of the House, of the Legislative Council, there being a strong- probability, if the Bill had been committed and passed. with the eliminations suggested by the Premier, that the clauses deleted would have been reinstated in the Upper House, the nominations to which, du mg

the past few years, had been from j t)sons thoroughly opposed to the prohibition movement. Mr French added . t the Regulation of Local Elections Act Amendment hill (providing a poll in cases in which the first poll has been declared void), should he passed in order to avoid any repetition r it hat had taken place in Newtown ; .nd Bruce. He also considered that the danse in the Licensing Bill, providing a penalty for persons found on licensed piemises after hours, and the suggested amendment making clause 33 of the existing Act applicable to the King Country, should have both been passed, if only as a matter of regulation to enable the police to perform their duties more efficiently.