THE LICENSING BILL.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 1977, 25 June 1880, Page 3

THE LICENSING BILL.

[By Telegraph.] [prom our own correspondent.] WELLINGTON, June 24. The “Post” gives the following report of the deputation of licensed victuallers to the Government regarding the Licensing Bill and beer tax: —This morning a deputation of licensed victuallers appointed by the recent conference, waited upon the Premier, who was accompanied by the Colonial Treasurer and Colonial Secretary, in reference to the Licensing Bill and the beer tax. The deputation, who were introduced by Mr Stevens, M.H.B. for Christchurch, and Mr W. H. Levien, M.H.E. for Wellington city, consisted of the following gentlemen—Messrs O. E. Worth and Guthridge, Wellington ; Mr Hiorns, Canterbury ; Mr Golder, Otago; Mr Patterson, Wanganui; Mr Rowe, Auckland and the Thames. Mr Worth laid before the Ministers a copy of the alterations suggested in the Licensing Bill by the conference. Mr Hiorns referred especially to the club question, oh-

serving that they did not object to hona, fide clubs, but merely wanted to keep out persons who were really wanting to establish sly .grog shops under the name of clubs. He also argued that the beer tax would press very heavily on the trade, as it was impossible to raise the price of beer. The extra two shillings placed on spirits last year affected them in the same way, and made a difference at least of £IOOO a year to all except the very smallest houses. The effect of the beer tax would bo to drive people to drink spirits, which would be a very bad thing. He was quite sure if the tea and sugar duties were reimposed instead there would be no outcry against them. He also suggested that an additional penny might bo charged on receipts for sums above £5, and that an education rate should be imposed. In the course of further conversation, the Premier mentioned that they had received several petitions in favor of the retention of bottle licenses. Mr Golder said he was sure that the whole of the respectable wholesale dealers would be in favor of tho abolition of such licenses. A man only had to possess to £5 worth of stock to get a bottle licence, and it woo lowering the tone of the trade. The moat pemicioua stuff was sold at these places under the name of brandy, which had never scon Cognac nor passed tho Customs. Mr Hiorns remarked that in England there was a great outcry against bottle licenses, because it was found that the wives of working men and others were in tho habit of going to the grocers’ shops and obtaining spirits, which were charged to their husbands as kerosene, sugar, or something of that kind. Xu Ireland he found that the grocers and others holding bottle licenses did a large “ nobbier ” trade. The customer was asked to have a glass of wine and it was added to tho price of the goods purchased. The Premier said that after all tho retrenchment that tho Government could bo expected to make, it was absolutely necessary to have additional taxation. They had considered very carefully every source of revenue and had come to tho conclusion upon tho whole that the beer tax was the best way of raising revenue which was absolutely indispensable to them. The Government would, however, carefully consider what the deputation had suggested. Mr Worth suggested that owners of land which had benefilted by railways passing through them, should pay a special tax. Ho added that, after being 22 years in tho colony, he saw no alternative but to leave it if the present system of taxation was to continue. Mr Rowe said there was not an hotel in tho colony which did not break the law in reference to Sunday trading and ho urged that the publicans, to avoid the temptation that at present existed to infringe the Act, should bo allowed to open from 1 to 2 p.m. and from 7 to 10 p.m. on Sundays. The Premier then said that the Colonial Secretary, who had charge of the Bill, would go through the matter very fully and consider carefully the suggestions that had been made. Of course tho deputation knew that there were other views which also pressed themselves upon the Government. The deputation then thanked the hon. gentlemen for their courtesy and withdrew.