THE LICENSING BILL.

Hokitika Guardian, 3 December 1918, Page 1

THE LICENSING BILL.

WELLINGTON December 2

Regarding the Licensing Referendum Bill, the referendum will take place early next April and a bare majority will decide either for continuance oi national prohibition with compensation. If the latter is voted it will operate on June 30th., 1919. If continuance is carried at- the poll in April then at the next general election there will be a referendum on three issues, (continuance, prohibition, without compensation, and State Control), without local option, a threefifths majority to decide. The Trade will have four years’ notice if prohibition is carried.

-A proposal to be carried in this poll must get half the votes oast. At the second poll (should one be necessary) a voted must strike out two of the three issues.

If prohibition is carried at the second poll, it operates on the 30th June folliwing . If State Control is adopted, it will operate within 12 months, except in « no-lieense district- where a three-fifths majority will he necessary to effect liquor restoration. As to compensation, if prohibition is carried at poll in April, it is to come from an appropriation to he made by Parliament, the sum of £4,500,000 being borrowed for the purpose. Compensation is to go to the following:—Brewers, owners and lesses, licensees, wholesalers, winemakers, malsters, owners of hop kilns, brewery operatives and hotel servants. Stocks of liquor will not'he compensated for, but may be sent out of the Dominion for six months after June next-. \ Magistrate and two assessors will constitute a compensation tribunal. Several penalties imprisonment and fines up to £IOO are provided for in eases of breaches of the prohibition law or of attempts to influence illegally tbe compensation tribunal.