LICENSING MATTERS.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1458, 5 June 1912, Page 7

LICENSING MATTERS.

e GROWTH OP SLY GliOG SALES. By Telegraph—Press Association-Copyright. Adelaide, Juno I. At the Federated Licensed Victuallers' Association Conference , a motion was passed stating that the association viewed with alarm the growth of sly grog talcs in Australasia, and urged tlio securing of keener police supervision, tho imposition of much severer lines, and the appointment of a special stall' of police.

EMPLOYMENT OF BARMAIDS. Melbourne, June i. The Victorian Alliance Convention has passed a resolution in favour of Prohibition, and against employment of barmaids. LOCAL OPTION SYSTEM. An interesting debate on the abolition of local option took , place at the Licensed Victuallers' Conference meeting last week on a motion by Mr. Farthing; (Vic), that tho Federated Licensed Victuallers' Association make it its policy to work for tho abolition of local option in Australia,, and, in lieu thereof, (he appointment of licensed boards in tho different State?, clothed with the authority to say where hotels should bo opened as well.as closed. Ho said that in 1007 tho -Victorian Licenses Reduction Board was established with the understanding that, for* ten years, the teetotal party and licenseU victuallers should observe a truce. Tho board comprised three men, carefully selected, and 3 per cent of the sales for the preceding; year were set apart, as a compensation fund for owners or licensees whose houses were closed. Of this 3 per cent owners paid 2 per cent, and the licensee 1 per cent. The advantages of the system as compared with local optiou in New South Wales were, briefly: South Wale.*, under local option, since 190G, 125 hotels had been closed, as against 572 closed by the Victorian License Reduction Board. Since 1807 in New South Wales, too, the cost of local option was borne by the State, while in Victoria the cost of administration by tho board fell on tho trade. In the former State licensees whose houses were closed received nothing, whereas in Victoria thoso who were closed received ■£213,413, or .£175 per hotel. Mr. Evans (N.S.W.) said the operation of the local option system in New South Wales alvilutely wiped out some of the best houses simply because of tho clamour of the teetotal party. Mr. O'Connor (Q.), in supporting, mioted the experience of the trade in Now Zealand. It would be a great advantage if tho Victorian system could be introduced throughout Australia. Mr. Woodlands (Vic.) said the Victorian board was absolutely above reproach, and had effected a standard for licensed houses. There was no comparison between local ontion and the reducton board, because the latter always went right to the root of. the trouble, and closed places not a' credit to the neighbourhood. Mr. Anderson (S.A.), Mr. Paget (Vic), Mr. Low (N.S.W.), and Mr. Klauer, M.L.C. (S.A.), strongly supported the motion, which was earned unanimously.