The New Licensing Bill.

Manawatu Herald, 11 October 1900, Page 2

The New Licensing Bill.

» This Bill has just been circulated ind the new provisions are as follows :'— There will be nine Provincial option districts and only two questions will be submitted, whether licenses in the district shall be prohibited or not. A t lace-fifths majority will carry prohibition. At the same time the electors will declare whether the next poll shall be taken in three years or six years time. The election will take place on the day of the general election. The licensing matters in the. King Country are to remain as at present until a Royal Commission reports. In respect to endorsements against premises, a record of a second and other subsequent conviction of any person shall be registered against the premises, and when four convictions on the same licensed persons have been registered against the premises, rhe same premises shall be disqualified for one .year ; it the licenses ot two persons in respect to the same premises are forfeited within a period of two years the premises shall be disqualified for one year from the date of the last forfeiture. Publicans' licenses shall authorise the licensees to sell and dispose of liquor from 6 in the morning to 10.30 at night, any extension beyond that - hour to be at the of the committee. It is provided that in the case of licenses lapsing, the Licensing Committee shall not, until after the taking of the next poll, grant any licenses in respect to premises situated more than a quarter of a mile from the premises in respect of which the lapse occurred. A stop to grocers selling mixed hampers is provided by describing spirits, wine, and beer to be deemed different liquors. A better class of tenants will be secured by it being made compulsory that they must have a good substantial loase for four years. An applicant will have to lodge a statement of all money paid by him for goodwill, purchase of stock and otherwise. Bonuses for transfers and assignments are to be illegal, and owners of premises who may be brewers or wine and spirit merchants supplying goods to tenant shall not charge more than ten per cent above current rates. Any arrange- , inent as to a rebate of rent, or other consideration, between landlord and \ tenant, whereby the tenant agrees to take beer from the landlord, is to be unlawful.