CLUBS AND REDUCTION.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XVII, Issue 977, 26 November 1908, Page 20

CLUBS AND REDUCTION.

In view of the fact that the reduction issue has been carried in several electorates (Auckland city included), the point has been raised whether the clubs will be dealt with independently, or will they be added to the total of hotels with whose licenses the Licensing Committees have to do? On the matter being referred to an official in the department of the Minister for Internal Affairs, it was found to be one of some importance, which, as far as was known, had not been previously raised. The Licensing Act is quite clear as to what is to happen when No-license is carried, for it is laid down in section 263 that this would mean the suspension of all club charters; but, strange to say, no provision seems to have been made for dealing with cases such as that referred to, and the carrying of reduction would apparently have no effect upon the number of club charters. There is no provision for reducing their number in any way beyond suspending them altogether apart from the ordinary hotel licenses, and are dealt with in quite another way. Certainly the Colonial Secretary has power to suspend them under certain circumstances, but that is about all; they really stand together or falkali together.' —