The Liquor Bill.

Levin Daily Chronicle, 3 December 1918, Page 3

The Liquor Bill.

T'ho much discussed Liquor Biill made its appearance in Parliament ya-tqrday and the second reading was earned without remark. The Bill will now go into committee when the fight between the advocates of different prindiplos will take place. The first part of the Bill provides for a poll to be taken on, a day in April on the two issues: (1) I vote for National Continuance; (2) I vote for National Prohibition wtibh Compensation. The will be decided by a bare majority. If the result favours Prohibition this will come into force on June 30 following. Provision is made for the manufacture and sale of liquor for sacramental, .scientific medicinal or industrial purposes. The [K-iraltic* for breaches of the Prohibition Jaw will be a fine not exceeding for a first offence and imprisonment up to three months fo|>-a second offence. IF Prohibition is carried no licensing poll ■shall at any time be talTen in any district. . The compensation is to paidi to owners of the freehold or leessees of hotel premises, to hotel licensees and holders of wholesale licenses, to chartered clubs, to wine-makers, maltsters and owners of (hop kilns, owners of vineyards for wine purposes, brewers and to servants of brewers and hotolkeeners. If Continuance should be carried at the poll provision ils matte for the submission of the issue of natlional purchase and control of the trade to the people at the next general election. The issues will *be (I) I vote for National Continuance; (2) I vote for State Purchase ahdi Control;. (3) I vote for National Prohibition.