FRIDAY, DECEMBER 8, 1871

Dunstan Times, Issue 503, 8 December 1871, Page 2

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 8, 1871

Although the “ Permissive Dill " •did not become law during the latesession of Parliament, it does not follow that its promoters will by lack of zeal, -or want of earnestness, allow it to fall into oblivion. Having secured a. --doughty champion to fight their cause in the house, and done 'battle 1 themselves, in season and out of season, - against one of the giant evils of the day; it is only natural to suppose that a sudden check will but serve at an 'inesn'ivo to redoubled exertions in attaining a reform of the laws relating to the retail saloofintoxicatiugliquors, • and there is no doubt that some good results will follow this agitation, preri l**d it doesnot run counter to general public'opinion. ‘The reform sought for by the-raotlcrate supporters of the Bill appears to be just such as the public generally would cordially support. They simply ask that the discretionary powers, as to the granting of publican’s licenses, now vested in magistrates, should be shared by the taxpayers. In fact, that those most: interested in the preservation of order •and good rule, should have some control over institutions which, supplying .an absolute public need ; are also, to -an extent dependent on varying circumstances, oftentimes productive of jnueL social misery and disorganiza..■lion. The ex trems party of agitators

vouli.l, if not absolutely condemning ■ho liquor traffic as ci'iminal, still so iedge it round about 'with restri'ctions hat legitimate trade would bo ruined, md in its place a nefarious traffic eoiild ensue, productive of ten fold oil. They would not only bind down ;he'retail traders in strong drinks by iQiivy penalties, but would make them lorsonally accountable for all the ill i ‘fleets which follow the abuse thereof They would not so much tine the drunkard, as llie_landlord. They adopt i hr fact the illogical tenets of American prohibitionists, and, mistaking the functions ofgove-nmnnt, would direct penal laws against, private vices. It may be safely assumed that no Colonial parliament will aid them therein by legislation On the other hand, the moderate party of permissionists, as the practical exponents of public opinion, will probably gain for tin public a controlling power over the issue of hotel licenses, and thus, in no slight measure exert an influence for the social benefit of men and communities. It is doubtful however, whether such action may not prove in some degree misdirected, if not coupled with equally needed efforts to improve the stains of public hotels. Ostensibly supplying an absolute public need, giving accommodation alike to weary travellers and to those who require less of bodily refreshment than momentary relaxa'ion, and social communion ; they cannot yet be said, in all cases, to adequately meet reasonable public requirements. The obvious void is the want of a well organised Licensed Victuallers’ Association, cx- i tending its ramifications from end to end of New Zealand, and having for its chief object the strict exclusion ; from the trade of all who might not ■ be prepared, or willing, to legitimately cater for the public accomodation. Road -side shanties and make shift 1 bostelries should be ruthlessly abolish- ] cd, and the law, instead of placing re- ] st’ictions on the licensed trader, should ' give fuller protection to his calling, i Tims extremes would meet to a good ' purpose. The granting of the desire 1 of the advocates of the Permissive Bill ! | that the issue of licenses might bo 1 ] subject to the expressed wishes of 1 each individual community, would ‘ prove an incentive to the lona Jidc' publican, to make bis house attractive \ and desirable in every sense of the i word, and whi’o present glaring evils 1 1 would be gradually but surely lessen-1 1 cd, the Licensed Victual!* r would rise J in the scale of social respect. In the j home country the vote and personal , influence of the Licensed Victualler, i as member of an influential guild, is 1 deemed of no little importance. Here j he is oftentimes placed at a disadvan- < tage, because there are so many * quasi members of his fraternity, whose only claim to the homely title of host, ] is, that they will carefully shepherd £ the unwary traveller when overcome j by the mysterious compounds of their t I'quors, ]