Manawatu Herald. THURSDAY, AUGUST 24, 1893. The Licensing Bill.

Manawatu Herald, 24 August 1893, Page 2

Manawatu Herald. THURSDAY, AUGUST 24, 1893. The Licensing Bill.

Oub good friends the Prohibitionists assert they only want fair play, and if this is so they should object to the Bill now before Parliament, because the Bill displays anything but fair treatment to both sides. A member of the Licensing Committee may be biased in his views, and that fact is directed not to in any way interfere with any decision the committee may give. Our past experiences of such committees force us to feel for the unfortunates who are thus left to their tender mercies. On the other hand, any one who is con neoted in any way with the liquor trade is barred from beooming a member of the committee, This is the latest phase of the sham Liberalism of the present Government. They prate of liberty and know it not. Can our readers provide in- ) stances where public interests and feelings were not allowed tull play ? We have lately had the election of " working men " into the House of Representatives so that they might >

be heard, and we have known of their being also nominated to tlie Legislative Cntuiail. In matters of arbitration" both sides are allowed to tooininato a certain proportion of the judges, but, in a wealthy and fairly conducted trade it is calmly proposed.to hand the Licensed Victuallers bound hand and foot over to their (-newies. We are not ardent lovers of those interested in the liquor traffic, but we are of liberty, and we protest at the proposals now made in the Bill. Heretofore whenever the Licensing Committee choose to be guided by their own sweet wills, I here was always an opportunity to appeal, but now, the veriest tan a tic can have his say, without giving the publican an opportunity for any redress. We are not touching upon the Direct Veto as we have already shown that under the Bill as it is printed, the vote would never be carried. We would, however, like to point out again how objectionable is this proposal to still adhere to Committees, they have been a delusion in the past and there appears but little prospect of their being any better in the future, indeed they will probably be a great deal worse, though thab may sound an almost impossibility. These committees will be expensive, as the election will cost much money, and the travelling expenses much money, either by the committee travelling from township to township, or from the licensees being dragged considerable distances to wait upon the committees, and in the end there will be dissatisfaction. The real board should be three of our Resident Magistrates whose expenses should be defrayed whilst on Licensing duty, by the local bodies. Before them no questions as to bias i or influence could be raised, and, in accordance with the poll taken, so would they deal with the Bill. The necessity of Committees does not appear when it is proposed that every question is to be left to the popular vote. We hardly expect the Bill will pass, and we hope it does not, as upon such important issues the electors should be heard at the close coming election. The Bill makes it clear that the Government have got thoroughly frightened at the Prohibition! ts and are prepared, as is usual with them, to throw their best friends overboard in order that they may retain power, and probably this little fact will be remembered on polling-day.