MINE HOST'S CLAIMS

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 18, 16 October 1917, Page 6

MINE HOST'S CLAIMS

REBATE OF LICENSE FEES

ALSO REVALUATION

THE MAYOR SERVES OUT COLO COMFORT. A deputation consisting of Messrs. K, Dryer, P. Griffeu, T. ll'Parland, 11. M. Page, and George M'Donald, who wore represented by Mr. J. J. M'Grath (solicitor), wailed on the Finance Committee of 'the City Council yesterday afternoon in respect to certain claims for consideration on' account of the pending restrictions to the licensed victuallers' trade. Mr. M'Grath said that he was present to ask for consideration in respect of rates and a refuud of license fees. The hotelkeepers who were present represented 4T licensees in Wellington, and wore in some cases licensees and owners of tins freehold. He named eight hotels, represented by tho deputation, whose annual rates averaged i,I7G 17s. Gd., so that they were entitled to a hearing. They wens there, however, principally to apply for a refund of a proportion of tho license fee for which they had paid for a twelve months' period from June 30 last, giving them the right to carry on their business from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. This sum represented a total of .61880. As they wouldl not be allowed to carry on their' tirade before 9 a.m. or after G p.m., he though'; that ho had established the fact thiit seven-sixteentli3 of the time set down in the license granted by the council was being deducted from tho license-payer, and as those included the best four hours of the day it concluded that the profits would come down accordingly. Ho' therefore made the request to the council to refund part of the JMO license fees paid for certain rights- up to June 30 next. For tho seven months to go (front November J) the total proportionate amount for the period would !>e «£23 Gs. Sd. He would suggest to the committee that half of that sum should be refunded in each case, iill 13s. 4d., or for the 47 licensees, .£548 6s. Bd. As an association they made a request for that refund out of the total of ilBBo paid in. Provision was also made in the Bill for allowing an adjustment of rates on the annual value, but he was aware thai: little of the rating in Wellington (was on the annunl value, but on the grounds that it was contemplated that no business should bo dona at all on the premises bafore 9 a.m. or after G p.m., ho would ask that a revaluation be made of hotel premises with a view to arriving at a new annual value. Councillor M. P. Luckie wished to know if there was any statutory authority for such refund or for revaluation for annual value. Mr. M'Grath said that ho had not been into the legal aspect of the matter, 'l'licy npproachcd the committee with a view I'to settling the matter equitably. _ If special statutory authority were required they would get it.

Cold Comfort. The Mayor (Mr. J. I'. Luke), as chair-# man of the committee, said that lie must be conservative in Jiis remarks, aud whatever he might say would necessarily bu n personal opinion, which did not speafc for the views the committee might hold. As far as revaluation was conccrned, tho council had nothing to do with it. That lvork was carried on by the general Government. The council merely accepted the valuations of tho general Government for the purpose of rating. The rates oil the annual value were only a very small proportion of the rates, asd there again the general Government-was the author'ity throughout New Zealand, and it waa to them that they ..should make their claim for some redress. He should hamlv think they would get it.

The Patriotic Note.' As to the righteousness of the claim, 1 he thought that the profits which the hotels might be hindered, from making by the disturbed conditions of trade were not comparable with>the way many other professions and trades were suffering, and. the great sacrifices that wera being made. What was it all compared with the man who sacrificed his life? , „ •, "I ani not going to talk palriotio, said Mr. Luke, "but one cannot help feeling it a bit whon he has his Iwys ugntins away in the trenches day after day. As far as the question concerned, don G value money a bit. The sacrifice oi one s iife is far beyond the wealth any of ua can contribute!"

"Not the Slightest Chance." The Mayor, continuing, said that they had no authority to remit the rates, anU as far as a rebate was concerned lie should not think they bad got the sh chance, any more than had the Uwjer who had had to give up or the farmer who bad slammed the g.it-3 of his paddocks. On the other hand, lia had experienced no lack of generosity on the part of some of the gentlemen present Indeed, he bad to thank the botelkeepers for a 'good deal in putting. and in other ways. He wished to pa th»m that tribute quite honestly, js allowing his respect for them M c lti2en3 ot Wellington, and be wwlied to, meKe it clear that liis feelings were not hostilf. Finally Mr. Luke thought-it might, be as well for the members of the tion to look to those tbem .wh^ controlled the trade for any Tedress rather t*han from tie city.

In Life and Money. Mr "M'Grath said, at once that ho knew personally that the botelkeepers o£ the district had spared no. saenhee in life or money. The sacrifices they had made were just as great as any made in the community. The hotelkeepers concerned were under no higher control. Thev could not look to those who controlled the trade, as they were the owners °'cSK? « "r ms&itxi. to the Dcrsonarintciests of some of thoso nresent with the'deputation, who repieSMreat'JWlJ "His; were broken somcthing Hiust te PW . The Mayor said he migt «p., Ucans SVrssSi Hirs ■SasssjrJSSft.Mi