THE LICENSING ACT

Globe, Volume XXIV, Issue 2571, 4 July 1882, Page 3

THE LICENSING ACT

A publio meeting was held last evening in the Templar Hall to consider the Licensing Aot. Mr J. P. Jameson presided, and having briefly expressed ail sympathy with the temperance movement, called upon the Dean of Christchuroh to move the first resolution. The Very Bev. the Dean of Chrißtchurch moved— •* Tbat this meeting is in favor of the present Licensing Act receiving a fair trial, and iB strongly opposed to any alteration being made in tho Act in the manner laid down in the Licensing Aot Amendment Bill bow before the House." The Dean spoke at considerable length in favor of the resolution, wnioh was seconded by Mr C. M. Gray, and oarric-d unanimously. Mr J. T. Smith moved—" That in tho event of any alteration being mado in the hour of closing public-houses, this meeting would recommend the total abolition of midnight licenses, and the adoption of ten o'clock as the uniform time for the whole oolony." Mr Forrest seconded the motion, whioh was also carried unanimously. Mr John Cameron moved—" That this meeting most emphatically protests against any proposal that may be made for legalising the sale of intoxicating liquors on the Sabbath. " The speaker dwelt upon the religious features of the question. Mr T. M. Hamilton seconded the resolution, whioh was carried unanimously. Bev. E. Best moved—" That this meeting ia of opinion that, for the purposes of local option, all adults, male and female, over , twenty-one years of age, be entitled to vote, and the manner of taking the votes to be the same as that provided in the Licming Act

for 1875." He would ba brief. Any movemeet that would limit or extinguish the liquor traffic had his hearty sympathy, an it was an iniquitous traffic. Mr Fisher seconded the resolution, which was also carried unanimously. Mr H. Bennetts proposed—" That local option be extended to existing- Haenseß, and not confined to new houses as at present." Mr Butterfield seconded the resolution, whioh was alto passed unanimously. Mr O. M. Gray moved, Mr Smith seconded, and it was resolved—" That copies of the above resolutions be forwarded by the chairman to the members for Ohristchurch North and South, and to the Colonial Secretary." Votes of thanks to the ohairncan, the Very Bev. the Dean, and the Bev. E. Best, concluded the meeting.