THE LICENSING BILL

Hokitika Guardian, 9 November 1927, Page 1

THE LICENSING BILL

[by TELEGRAPH PEII TRESS ASSOCIATION

WELLINGTON, Nov. S. The following is a full text of a statement made by the Prime Minister when introducing the Licensing Amendment Bill into the House of Representatives this afternoon: - Thi Bill which has just l>een introduced by Governor-General’,s Message represents the fulfilment, of an undertaking given by me to the House, as well as to many delegations which have waited upon me from time to time, that an opportunity would he given in this Parliament for consideration of the licensing question. As is well known, tlio licensing question is one which has always been treated as a matter outide ordinary party polities. That is to say, members of Parliament have always had a free hand in recording" their opinions and convictions in regard to any licensing legislation which may come liefnre the House. There is no intention whatever of departing from this custom in the present instance, and as far as members on the Government side are run rented, they are quite unfettered by any party ties in their consideration of the proposals which are submitted in this measure. The Bill, therfore. is in no sense a Government measure. The proposals are the out-

come of my own consideration of the question, and I submit them in the hope that they contain features calculated to give a lead upon questions which occupy a foremost place in the minds of those who study our social and economic life, fn making this statement I would like in refer to my own [Husonal position in regard to certain views expressed by me at the last Genera! Election. 1 then stated that I was in favour of a three-issue Im I lot paper. The Bill now before the House el ini nat es the third issue- that is. the stale {’onf ml issue. Careful consideration and examination of the figures recorded for what is known as the third is-uc. namely State Control, have led me to the conclusion that it' existence 1:111 hardly be just i lied. At the same time, to ensure that a drastic change, sui li as 1 he carrying of a National Prohibition would involve, should have a stable majority in ils favour, the Bill provides for not less than per rent, of the total votes recorded at the Licensing Poll as being necessary ’to earrv National Prohibition. H is also advisable that if Prohibition is carried, it should not be reversed except by a stable majority. The elimination of the third issue in the ballot paper .the institution of a M per cent, majority, and the substitution of licensing polls at every alternate General Election, in place of the present triennial polls, are among the chief lentil res of the Bill. As members will recollect. the Bill "as submitted to the House last year, hut I cannot say that its reception generally was encouraging. On the contrary, ils proposals seemed lo he unwanted; and the present propsals are submitted in the belief that they are worthy ol very careful consideration by Parliament. The Prime Minister said lie wanted finality on the question. “So far as T am concerned.” he said, ‘‘we can stay here until Christmas or New A ear. so long as we call get this thing threshed out. Tt is not a Government Bill in any sense. It has not been before a caucus, and 1 have not. even consulted inv colleagues on it. Tt was impossible for me lo consult anyone, but it remained for someone to bring down a bill which in his judgment gave definite leads for the expression of opinion. The Bill was read a first time. INTERESTING PROVISIONS. WELLINGTON, Nov. 8. In addition to the provisions explained by Mr Coates, the Liiensing Bill specifies that if prohibition is carried, it will come into force on .June 30th. following. In the event of National Prohibition being carried polls may be taken on tin l question <>t restoration .the no per cent, applying in the ease of restoration as in the ease of National Prohibition. If the people restore liquor alter prohibit ion has been in force. I lit 1 trade will recommence operations three months after the date of the- poll. To such an event, publicans’ licenses must- not exceed one for every .5(10 electors, nor less than one for every 1000 electors in the district ; holders of previous licenses to have preference, unless legitimate objections are lodged. Tf through the alteration in boundaries a licensed premises is transferred into a no-licensed district, and later by further change of boundaries, retransferred to a licensed district, the people in that district are given an opportunity of voting on a bare majority poll, in collusion with the General Election, to say whether the Licensing Committee for the district shall issue an extra license. No such poll can be taken without a petition. signed by ten per cent, ol the electors in the district, .however.

Xo voting paper in connection with the licensing polls is invalid, if the intention of the voter is clear. Additional powers are conferred upon Licensing Committees to demand certain accommodation requirements of the licensee. and to have effected any additions or repairs to premises, under a penalty of suspension. Papers in nolicense districts may publish advertisements soliciting the sale of liquor.

The employment of women in bars is restricted to those bearing a certain relationship to the licensee or to bona fide employees on the premises, and approved by the Licensing Committee: while the provisions relating to unlawful sale and exposure of liquor are tightened.

ft is made an offence punishable by a ten pound fine for anyone, whether a holder of a license or not, who supplies liquor ro a person under 2t years of ago. A similar fine is to imposed upon anyone falsely representing themselves as being over 21 years of age. Parents may supply their children, however, and a licensee may supply young people living on the premises or who are bona fide .guests.

The licensee is responsible for the offence of bis agents qr servants, unless he proves the offence to have been committed without bis knowledge nr connivance. The licensee is enabled to secure a permit from the police for the serving of liquor at a society or association Lanquet. in a specified din ing room, but no permit will be granted to same or any other licensee in respect to the same society or association within six months. The Commisioner of Police will control the register of barmaids, instead of the Secretary for Labour. A woman who is not a barmaid commits an offence punishable by a ten pound fine for every day she works in a bar. An elaborate provision, is made for the establishment and keening, of a lodger’s register, and ten pound fines are made payable in case of a breach.