THE BEER TAX AND THE LICENSING BILL.

Oamaru Mail, Volume IV, Issue 1310, 18 June 1880, Page 3

THE BEER TAX AND THE LICENSING BILL.

A meeting of brewers and hotel-beepers was held at the Star and Garter Hotel yesterday for the purpose of considering the measures affecting their interests now before Parliament. There were present—Messrs. Markham, A. Rodgers, J. D. Kett, Thomas Hannon, P. Croft, G. Amos, Jonas "Ward, "W. Gillespie, C. Dodge, G. S. Lintott, A. Johnston, D. Hnnter, W. M. Southan, and

D. Cameron. Mr. Lintott was voted to the chair, and in the course of a few introductory remarks explained the object of the meeting, and the great necessity that existed for thorough cooperation between the brewers and hotelkeepere of North Otago, in order to strengthen in every possible way the hands of the delegates who have been appointed in other districts in opposing any unjust or oppressive legislation to which the trade may be subjected. It was unanimously resolved that a society, to be called "The North Ot3go Brewers and Licensed Victuallers' Association," should at once be formed, and that Messrs. Lintott and Hnnter should be deputed to obtain the rules of kindred associations, and to submit the. same to the next meeting.

Ic wa3 proposed by Mr. Rodgers, and seconded by Mr. Amos, " That this meeting endorses the views taken by the Dunedin brewera and hotel-keepers, as it considers the beer tax of sixpence a gallon unjust, and purely a class imposition."—Carried. A deputation, consisting of Messrs. Rodgers, Johnston, and Hnnter, wa3 appointed to wait on Mr. Jones before his departure for Wellington, and request him to use every endeavor to obtain the repeal of the beer tax.

It wa3 proposed by Mr. Hunter, seconded by Mr. Rodgers, and carried, "That Mr. Lintott be appointed delegate to proceed to Wellington to work with the representatives of kindred associations, and that the sum of L 25 be voted for his expenses." In the new Licensing Bill, the following amendments were proposed : That clause 31 be expunged from the Bill, as it would not be expedient to grant licenses to boarding-honses under the guise of private hotels, as many of them would become sly grog shanties, with little chance of detection. !

Clause 33. —That L3O be expunged, and LI per day be inserted, otherwise the sale of privileges at race meetings, &c., would be seriously affected. Clause 35, Club Licenses.—That clubs be charged the same fee as hotels, and be under the same police supervision. • Clause 30, Publican's License.—That a publican's license shall authorise the licensee to sell between the hours of 6 in the mornii j and II at night, and that the license fee b • reiiiii*d to L3O in boroughs, and L 25 ontsiile.A

'.Close 37. —That no night licenses are repaired. Clauses 60 and 67, re objections to license.—That 14 days' notice be given, instead of 10 days, of any objections to applications.

That clause 65 be struck out. Local Option.—That no one be allowed to poll if under 21 years of age.

Clause 117.—That in town it is unnecessary to have lamps burning outside all Bight. Proposed by Mr. Dodge, seconded by Mr. Johnson—That a clause be inserted in the Bill to allow licensees to recover by law* for refreshments supplied to lodgers.