Manawatu Herald. THURSDAY, MAY 10, 1894. Licensing Committees.

Manawatu Herald, 10 May 1894, Page 2

Manawatu Herald. THURSDAY, MAY 10, 1894. Licensing Committees.

' ' T^ — ' — •— • ■ ■' ■ . Owing 'to some wonderful mismanagement there will be no opportunity for themembers of the Otaki Licensing Committee to meet prior to the day fixed for the annual meeting. Whoever is answerable for such an arrangement is guilty of paying a very poor compliment to the committee as it is assuming that they have nothing to do but grant whatever licenses may be applied for. Whatever way the old committees chose to act has nothing to do with the one lately elected, the selection has been larger and we think the new Committee compares most favourable to those previously elected from a narrow boundary. It would seem to have been only reasonable on the part of the Government for Ministers to have had the courtesy to think it was possible that the committee might have a mind of its own, and might not be prepared to look at everything through official glasses. At present no member knows in what way and by whom the report on the state of the licensed houses will be made. Those interested must be prepared for any inconvenience they may be called upon to suffer if the report shows signs of hasty or iudifferent work. The Committee being composed of men not previously on other committees will insist on the fullest information about each house, even to details it may not be thought worth while to investigate by an ordinary police officer! If the appointment had been made earlier there is little doubt but that he could have secured the advice of the Chairman as to the nature of his inquiries, and thus have saved much valuable time. The new Act has given a very valuable monopoly to the occupiers of licensed houses and most committees are insisting that licensees on their part shall meet that fi;l vantage by displaying more care and attention to their premises, and the manner in which they are conducted. The character of the applicants and their course of conduct during the past year must be reviewed and thß committee will be wanting in their duty to the public who elected them, if they neglect to assist the honest licensee against those who strain the law to seme an extra sixpence. The committee will not be desirous of causing inconvenience to the applicants and may be able to meet a short time prior to the hour of meeting, on the day fixed, and may possibly succeed in agreeing as to the conditions under which licenses will be renewed, which is only possible if the fullest reports aro supplied. We feel quite sure that the Otaki Licensing Committee are desirous of doing their duty to both sides and would have been better pleased to have had an earlier meeting' so that the information desired could have been arranged for. Under present circumstances we do not look hopefully forward to a completion of the business on theseventh of June, but it may be that these remarks may stir up those whose duty it is to attend to such matters * and thereby a'vpid what will otherwise be a grave inconvenience.