The Feilding Star. SATURDAY, AUGUST 10, 1893. THE NEW LICENSING ACT.

Feilding Star, Volume XV, Issue 43, 19 August 1893, Page 2

The Feilding Star. SATURDAY, AUGUST 10, 1893. THE NEW LICENSING ACT.

I In tho speech of the Premier in raov- | ing the second reading of the new Licensing Bill, reported iv another column, are to be found tho salient features of tho measure. It appears to have boon preparod with a duo regard to the extremists on both sides, ; and therefore cannot bo expected to j give entiro satisfaction to either partj. One objectionable clause is that which gives power to " electors" and takes it away from " ratepayers," who ' roaliy are the persons most interested in tho question. Tho only privilege that real sottlers, tho back bone of the country, will have left soon is that ot being taxed up to the hilt. We beliovo that if the Bill is debated in Parliament without tho introduction of purty politics, tho result may be a useful measure, but with the bitter fooling which is too apparent as existing betwoon Sir Robert Stout and tho Premier, Mr Seddon, wo fear that is impossible. One thing is certain : that the debate will be an interesting one, and will compel every member to indicate which side he is inclined to favor. In Dunedin a representative of tho Temperance Party objects to the Bill because it does not give a bare majority of the people the right of direct veto. In Auckland a representative of the Licensed Victuallers' Association says that the trade is iv favor of tho Bill, which contuins provisions for the protection of respectable houses. They also approve of clubs being put on the same level as publichouses — very properly so, wo think, after the experiences the Wanganui people have had. These extracts go to show how wide the breach is ulready on the main features of tho Bill.

W'k aro informed by the Mauawatu Daily Times that a movement is on foot with tho object of asking yir Robert tStout to stand for the Palmerston beat at the forthcoming general election. Our contemporary thinks the candidature of Sir Robert would be viewed with approbation by a large sec- j tion of tho Prohibition Tarty as well ns the great majority of the Liberal Party in that electorate While we admit our contemporary has plenty of opportunities of making himself familiar with the blato of party feeling in Palmerston, yet we venture to think that his opinion in this instance is erroneous. Even if Sir Robert did stand, which is extremely improbable, he would bo donated at tho poll by Mr Pirani who has already received pledges of support from both of the sec tions named, while tho Opposition candidate, whoever ho might be, would most likely slip in between.