HOTEL LICENSES.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1506, 31 July 1912, Page 4

HOTEL LICENSES.

PROPOSAL TO INCREASE FEES REJECTED. Just for a minute or two yesterday thß Municipal Conference threatened to open up a discussion on tho vexed licensing question. Mr. V. J. Footo (Wairoa) moved:— i That tho animal' fees for a) publican's liccnso be increased, and that tho amount thereof bo proportioned directly to tho population resident iu the borough, and within seven miles if tho licensed premises bo situated within or without tho borough respec. tively, and inversely to the number of licensed liouses in the arei of population. Ho stated that tho licensod houses ill soma district's hod vastly appreciated in value, and diminished substantially iu nltmber, so that the revenue to 1m derived was considerably less. Mv. G. V. l'earce, M.P., eccondcd tho motion. A monopoly had boon created, and it was only fair that tho boroughs, which had made their value bigger, should get some benefit therefrom. He was inclined to think that tho Government would lx) pleased to givu effcct to the proposal if tho conference adopted it. Mr. G. W. Browne (New Plymouth) Mipported tho remit, A man altering tlio hotel business lud to pay a very largo sum for what Was called "goodwill"-a value that was created by the community. It was only fair that tho community should draw 6omo increased revenue from them. Mr. W. J. M'Grath (Napier) opposed the motion. He thought that the publicans rayed enough already, and they should be left alone. If the proposal worn to take something from tho brewer ho would support it. The Mayors of Asliburton, Lyttelto'n, Christehureh, and Wellington all oppose') the motioii It wnu pointed out that tlia notels paid revenue to the bcrougbs in other ways, «.nd that the license ices could safely he allowed to reaoin as at present. It wa« further urged' that th« proposal if carried would enbvcil municipalities in the licensing war, which would bo very undesirable. Tils motion was rejected by a lusty chorus of nce.«. Mr. J. J. Corry (Blenheim) moved th« following remit on behalf of Gisbonie That Part 3 of Sections J2 and CO of the Liceiisir.p Act be amended in 'the Wowing direction: The abolition ' of Licensing Committees, their fuiicfctions or.d duties, thi simo bein;,transfcrrcd to tho local authority in each dist:ict. This motion was likewise rejected on the voices.