The Alcoholic Liquors Act.

Manawatu Herald, 30 November 1895, Page 2

The Alcoholic Liquors Act.

During last session an amending Liquor Act was paised wbiob aUeru

the principal Act considerably. Whether for the better time will show, bat in sotne particulars we ! think the ohabges are an advantage. The Poll is fixed to be taken on the day of the general election. If the i number of votes recorded in favour of the number of licenses in the district continuing is an absolute majority) proposal shall be deemed to be carried ; if the Votes are in absolute majority for reduction of licenses the proposal shall be deemed to be carried ; to secure the carrying of a vote " that no license be granted " three-fifths of the Votes must be given in support of it. The day of election is to be a public half-holi-day. The Licensing Committee is re* duced to six including the Stipendiary Magistracy as chairman, and the powers originally held by any two members of the committee is altered to two members and the chairman. The election of committee is to be some time in March. ]n case of failure to elect a committee and a committee is deemed not to be elected | in any case where the whole number of such committee is not elected, then the Stipendiary Magistrate shall exercise all the powers of the committee until the time appointed for the next periodical election. Publicans and sinners will have a lively time with " prohibited " per sons. The publican who knowingly permits any " prohibited " person to be or remain on his premises shall be liable to a penalty of not less than £5, and not exceeding £10. The burden of proof is to be on the defendant. Not only does the publican run a risk but also the " prohibited person, and this is a distinct improvement. If during the currency of any order he is found on any licensed premises he is liable to a penalty not exceeding J65. We do not quite " catch on " why the penally should be less on the " prohibited '' than on the publican, but an Act of Parliament is Just one of those things " no fellah can understand." The publican and the " prohibited " are not the only people who run a risk for it is pro* vided that any person knowing any other person is prohibited, accompanies him into any licensed premises, or assists him to procure or drink liquor is liable to a penalty not exceeding £10. The Act oonoludes with one of its best provisions, via. "No covenant or agreement, condition, proviso, or stipulation, whereby any person or body corporate is purported to be bound to purchase beer, wines, j spirits, or other fermented or spirit uous liquors from any other person or body corporate to the exclusion of any other person . . . shall, if entered into after the passing of this Act, have any force or validity whatever." Thus ends " tied " houses, if, and what a lot there is in that " if," the Trade do not see as simple a way of driving a coaeh-and-four through these clauses as they have through the provisions of the principal Act, in moving a license to any part of a Licensing District. With all the horror expressed by the Government at the Levin case, yet this amending Act makes no provision to prevent a repetition of such an infraction of the spirit of the Act, and thus the inhabitants of the Newtown suburb of Wellington are being threatened with an invasion of the Liquor Trade.