LICENSING PROBLEM.

Hokitika Guardian, 21 July 1923, Page 1

LICENSING PROBLEM.

WELLINGTON, July 13 A petition tlmt in the next licensing referendum the existing issue of State Control he replaced l>y that of Corporate Control was represented to Parliament to-day by the Prime Minister, who stated that there were 50,200 signatories. Details of the proposal, which is the outcome of a conference of representatives of certain members of the Anglican clergy of Xcw Zealand, Moderate League, Associated Clubs, brewers, wine . and spirit , merchants, licensed victuallers and freehold owners of hotel properties are set out in the petition. It is proposed that the ownership of licensed premises and manufacture, importation lind wholesale distribution of alcoholic liquors in the Dominion shall be exclusively vested in a corporation, which shall have a nominal capital divided into shares equivalent in amount lu the value ol the assets taken over. Twenty per cent of the shares shall he A shares and P 0 iter cent B shares. The A shares shall lie allotted to the Government of Now Zealand without an> payment, in cash, but shall he paid for by dividends accruing upon them. No dividend paid to shareholders of the corporation shall exceed It) per. cent. All excess profits shall he applied to national purposes, such as extinction of the national debt, payment of hospital spbsidios, etc. The corporation shall he directed solely by a board of nine practical and experienced men, five, including the chairman, nominated by the Government, and four by the II shareholders. II also is proposed that the corporation shall have power on the termination o' any lease to grant a permit institut ing the vale system for sale of light wines and beer where it is deemed advisable to restrict the sale of spirits. It is proposed that if the elector? adopt the proposal outlined no further poll sl.mll he taken for nine vears.