LICENSING PROBLEM

Hokitika Guardian, 8 February 1929, Page 2

LICENSING PROBLEM

IN ASHBURTON. LOCAL OI’TTON SHOULD OPERATE. WELLINGTON, Feb. 6. One of the many problems for the new Government is that of deciding whether Ashburton is to have a brewery license and whether its former club charter is to be revived. Conditions have changed since Aslilnirton was tbe centre of a. dry electorate. It is now in Mid-Canterbury, an electorate including many hotels, therefore applications have been mafic for a club charter, also for the establishment of ft brewery* depot in Ashburton. Though there are important legal problems involved tbe law is in the curious position that, tbe Minister responsible for making a decision is the Hon. W. B. Taverner, Minister of Customs, the reason being that bis partment controls excise malleis. Ihc Minister has, of course, a right, to consult tbe Crown Law Officers, ami it is understood that tbe Hon I. K. Sidoy, Attorney-General, lias bad the matter under consideration. Finally there is no doubt that the Minister of Customs will bold bis decision until the opinion of Cabinet is taken. I. that is unfavourable to granting licenses probably the law courts may Pave to decide on tbe interpretation of the law. There is a feeling in official circles that such an important question is eminently one for flic Ashburton people to decide for themselves. There appears to be no legal machinery to effect this democratic purpose, but il the law enabled a licensing committee to bo elected in the area concerned tbe issue could be decided on tbe personnel which would be elected.