SALE OF LIQUOR.

Taihape Daily Times, Issue 220, 6 October 1917, Page 3

SALE OF LIQUOR.

CONTROL AND RESTRICTION IMPORTANT AMENDMENTS. RIGOROUS-CONTROL OF CLUBS ADJUSTMENT OF RENTS. WELLINGTON, Oct 4 The Sale of Liquor Restriction Bill was reported with amendments by the Statutes Revision Committee to the Legislative Council this afternoon. The most important amendments are as follows; — It is proposed that the Act will come into force on December Ist, instead of November Ist. There is a comprehensive and highly technical clause providing for readjustment of hotel rents and values between parties,, who are made responsible for the institution of a tribunal. A new clause aims at rigorous control of chartered clubs, it being provided that if the inspector of chartered clubs reports to the Minister that liquor has been supplied during prohibited hours to persons other than boarders, the Minister shall cause a magisterial enquiry to be held, and, if the charges are proved, the club’s charter shall forthwith be cancelled and revoked. Another new clause defines persons who have lawful right to be on licensed premises during prohibited hours. These are the licensee and members of his family, lodgers, guests of a lodger, persons having business with the licensee or his family, persons taking breakfast or dinner, persons who, bona fide, propose to take breakfast or dinner, or have taken such meals, and bona fide travellers. No liquor shall be sold or consumed by any such persons except a lodger, licensee, and members of his family, whether at meals or other-wise during prohibited hours. The penalty for a breach is a fine not exceeding £lO. The recommendations contain no proposal for compensation or for a late night.