THE LIQUOR BILL.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 1737, 6 October 1917, Page 3

THE LIQUOR BILL.

SOME DRASTIC PROVISIONS

The Statutes Revision Committee, which has been deliberating on the Sale of Liquor Restriction Bill, reported to the Legislative Council on Thursday.

In clause 2 of the main Bill it is recommended that the early closing hours should come into operation on December Ist instead of November Ist.

Some new clauses of a drastic nature have been incorporated. The hours as passed by the House of Representatives (9 to G) stand.

There is a now clause providing that any lessee of licensed premises may, before'March Ist, 1918, give notice to a lessor requiring him to reduce the rent payable by the lessee in respect to premises pursuant Oran y lease, to such an amount as may be speciiielrilTTjltrßotiCTT'di’r at the option of the lessor to accept the surrender by the lessee of the lease on certain prescribed conditions.

A neAv clause provides that every lessee being a licensee, who desires to take adA’aulago of the reduction of rents, shall, Avithin 21 days from December Ist next, lodge Avith the clerk of the Licensing Committee for Hie district an inventory of the stock held on the morning of December Ist.

A. further provision is made whereby a licensee may. with the consent of the owner, morlgagee, and Licensing Commit tec, upon proving to the satisfaction of the Commissioner that the business cannot be profitably carried on, close his licensed premises and keep (hem closed during the continuance of Hie Act Avithoul prejudice to his right for a rcncAval of the license, provided the license foe is paid vearlv.

During hours when licensed premises are closed no liquor shall be sold at or removed from premises holding Avholesale licenses. Dealing Avith chartered clubs, it is recommended that where it is reported that liquor is being supplied during the hours Avhcn licensed premises are dosed (o persons other than lodgers, an inquiry shall he bold by a Magistrate, and if Hie case is proved, the charter of the club will be revoked.

Persons legally entitled to be on the licensed premises outside the hours for the sale of liquor are the licensee and his family, persons employed on the promises, lodgers, the guests of lodgers, persons having business with lodgers or the licensee, or persons taking meals, and persons who for a lama fide purpose take or have taken a meal, and bona fide travellers.

If the parties cannot mutually agrcc on an adjustment of accounts, each shall appoint an arbitrator; these Avill appoint an umpire. This tribunal will decide what reduction, if any, is lo bo made in the rent.