LICENSING LAW.

Hokitika Guardian, 16 October 1924, Page 1

LICENSING LAW.

PA HIAAMENTAItY COM-MITTEF.’S RECOMMENDATIONS.

[by TEr.F.cnArn —per chess association.] WELLINGTON, Oct. lb.

This Committee appointed to consider the amendments in tho licensing laws haves presented a lengthy report to the House of Representatives. The main recommendations are that no more licenses are required in the Dominion, hut there should lie a redistribution of licenses, more in accordance with the needs of population in various districts.

License fees should lie substantially increased. Licensed houses he classified into three classes, based on the valuation of the property, including Hie value of the license, sinil such other factors as shall appear equitable, with a varying fee for each loss: The local authorities should receive nu amount of the license fees, as at present, hut all tho increased fees should he paid into the Consolidated Fund. Goodwill should ho made illegal. Any person receiving such consideration should he liable to a line of CbOO, and, on a second offence, the license for the lion,so should he cancelled, any goodwill payment to he'returned.

Leases should lie subject to the investigation and approval of the Licensing Committee. The Committee recommends the mure effective inspection of liquor and licensed praises: that more ample penalties he provided for tho adulteration of liquor. That special inspectors he appointed to prevent and detect the violations of the Act. their duties to include a ninvestigation to ascertain if the general standard of accommodation is in keeping with the tariff. To avoid trafficking in licenses, transfers should not he allowed under three years, except through sickness, death, or ol.lie rspecia rcniesesat.ulcm 2315 or other special circumstances.

AVitii a view to making it possible for licensees to provide additional acconiinodatlion, whero necessary, without tho risk of personal loss, the Licensing Act, should he amended to provide that in this event of prohibition being carried, it should not come into force until lour years have elapsed alter the date of the pull. It is recommended that, in the event of continuance being carried, no further poll should ho taken for nine years. Chartered clubs should ho allowed no extension of hours, hut a limited number of permits should lie' issued for extended hours on special occasions. Restaurants should lie placed on (lie .sanii 1 footing as halls, or other rooms, in regard to the consumption of liquor at social gatherings, provided a permit is first obtained from the police. Licensing Committees should be empowered where road traffic lias been diverted, to authorise tho removal of a license to the point nearest to which the traffic is carried on.V Barmen should lie licensed. Committees should have power to control the number of bars. Women should not he served with intoxicants in public bars, or the adjacent rooms.

New hotels should he built in per r niancnt material, and, il national prohibition is carried, there should lie no restrict ion on the making of liquor I’onlaiiiiiig not more Ilian two per cent, of alcohol for home consumption.