DEPUTATION FROM THE LICENSED VICTUALLER’S ASSOCIATION.

Evening Star, Volume VII, Issue 1984, 14 September 1869, Page 2

DEPUTATION FROM THE LICENSED VICTUALLER’S ASSOCIATION.

This morning, a deputation from the Licensed Victuallers’ Association, consisting of Messrs Walter (president), Bailey, Balantyne, Hayden, Vice, Thompson, Wain, and Watson, waited upon His H mor the Superintendent, to confer with him upon the measures necessary to put a stop to the practice of sly grog selling. The deputation were introduced by Mr W. H. Reynolds, M.P.C., M.H.R. The President of the Association, MrWALter, said, that the revenue as well as the Licensed Victuallers suffered very considerably from the almost unusual practice of sly grog-selling. It was carried on not only extensively, hut almost with impunity, for it was almost impossible to get a conviction. The licensed victuallers contributed the sum of L 60,296 to the revenue annually upon their licenses, exclusive of other taxes; and they were therefore fairly entitled to con* sideration, if on no other ground than that large amount of money. His Honor said, when in Wellington he did not lose sight of what he had promised, and did all that he c >uld to bring the matter under the notice of the General Government, The only thing he could do practically was to see the members of the Executive; and he did that. He had an interview with Mr Vogel; but, of course, during the session he could not look into the matter. He had net heard as yet who was to succeed him, but should write tomorrow and would mention the subject. What he suggested was that there should be an officer employed connected with the two Governments, to inspect distilleries, and to be an Inspector of licenses. Mr Walter thought more than one officer would be necessary. He would like the Provincial Government to taka the matter up, as they were in receipt of the revenue derived from publicans licenses The Provincial Government made laws for their guidance, and sly grog sellers sold it with impunity. There was, in fact, no restriction upon them. The Super ! ntendent had not the slightest doubt, from what Mr Vogel said to him, that he saw the force of the representation made to him. and that something would be done in the matter, Mr Walter asked if his Honor would object to a bill being introduced into the Provincial Pound!—a private bill—to be framed and introduced next session, with a view of potting a stop to sly grog selling. The Superintendent asked with what object. Mr Walter said a bill to amend the Licensing Ordinance, His Honor could not say until he knew exactly the purport of the bill. He would say the Government was bound to protect the licensed victuallers, and any ordinance having that object in view would not bo objected to. Mr Walter thought if the bottle license fee were raised it might be the means of stopping it. The Superintendent said if the Association did not mind putting on paper the amendments proposed in the Licensing Ordinance, he would submit them to the Executive for consideration. One of the deputies said they were not aware whether his Honor was favorable to the continuance of the bottle license or not, but he thought it would be the best to introduce a Bill to do away with the bottle license. A bottle license only cost LlO, and the holders sold nobblers just the same as the publicans did. The storekeepers, by having on sale groceries and other goods, attracted people to their stores, and it was not fair to the publican with large expenses, and a variety of impediments, that they should be subjected to competition. His Honor said the Association was an organised body, and it would be therefore better to reduce their wishes to writing. Mr Walter said the Executive would he able to obtain a large amount of information from the report of the select committee of the Provincial Council that investigated the subject. M r Brannigan’s evidence was much to the point. A member of the deputation said that Mr Strode, the Resident Magistrate, remarked in Court that it went against him to grant a bottle license. Mr Walter said that Mr Harris, whose large experience entitled his opinion to some weight, stated in the Police Court that so long as bottle licenses were granted so long would sly grog selling continue. His Honor said ne had no doubt that, when the General Government had time to look about them, they would take some means to stop sly-grog selling, and would appoint an officer for the special purpose. A member of the deputation said he thought it would be necessary to have two officers in order to secure convictions, as the evidence of one was found insufficient. His Honor : Under the present Ordinance. The deputation agreed to his Honor’s suggestion to present their wishes in writing, and, thanking him for his courtesy, withdrew.