THE LICENSING BILL.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XX, Issue 1121, 5 October 1911, Page 22

THE LICENSING BILL.

A DISCUSSION IN PARLIAMENT. A discussion on the administration of the Crown Law Office, which took place in the House of Representatives in Committee of Supply on Friday, developed a desultory commentary regarding the employment of Mr. A. S. ■-ns, of Dunedin, to draft the Licensing Bill of last session. Mr. A. S. Malcolm (Clutha) said that there was a presumption among some people that the Bill was prepared practically under the instructions of the No-License party. The Hon. J. A. Millar said he understood that Mr. Adams was asked to prepare a Bill on the lines that had been virtually agreed on by the two parties as the best solution of a very troublous question. Herries remarked that, compared with the drawing up of the Native Land Act, the drafting of a Licensing Bill would be child’s play. It was in bringing the contending parties together that Act was called for. Mr. L. M. Isitt (Christchurch North) commended the judgment of the Government in entrusting the preparation of the Bill to Mr. Adams, who possessed the intimate knowledge of the licensing question to enable him to prepare a satisfactory measure. One of his constituents had asked him if there was not some unholv swindle in connection with this fee. He (Mr. Isitt) maintained that it was a fee nuite in accordance with what would be charged bv responsible legal men.