The Daily News. THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 1903. THE LICENSING BILL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXXXV, Issue 239, 5 November 1903, Page 2

The Daily News. THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 1903. THE LICENSING BILL.

Of the (Jhriatchurch papers, the Opposition press is much more fav. u to tho Premier's Licensing Bill tli h-t Government supporter, the Ly.Mlon Times, The Press rejaarks tLa,, the i Premier has falsified the predictions of 1 some of his critics by bringicg down a Licensing Bill, although by deferring , it till this late period of the session he 1 certainly gives colour to the surmise that he is not very anxious to see it on the Statute Book. Unless he mskes it a Government measure and forces it; through under the lash of the whip, which we should say ia unlikely, the chances are that both sides, after a preliminary discussion, will prefer to postpone the big fight until next session, The abolition of the reduction alternative will simplify the voting, says the Prfss, and " in our opinion is a distinct improvement. The reduction issue was merely a convenient htfhing place for weak-kneed voters with no very pronounced opinions, and if it were carried simply benefitted the holders of licenses that wcrs spared without materially advancing the causi of temperance." With regard to the penalty on persons who are found with liquor in their possession in a prohibi tion district, and the forfeiture of the liquor, which is to be handed oyer to the local hospital board, the latter provision strikes the Press as rather quaint. fl We hope," it adds, that tho quality of tfie liquor wiil be tested before it is administered in the shape of medical comcomforts to (he hospital patients. As to its baing made an offence for liquor to be found in the possession of any private < person, we object to it as an undue interference with the liberty oE tho subject and the privacy of his house; but there is no question that it is carrying the views of the prohibitionists to a logical conclusion." The Presd continues : "In addition to the main issue of ' licsaee' or ' no-license,' another question will be submitted to the electors at the same time, although on a separate voting-paper. They will be asked to say whether the licensing poll shall be taken with every succeeding electoral poll or every alternate electoral poll. We do not object to any plan which would lessen the turmoil and unrest produced by such frequent appeals to the peop'e on the licensing questiop, and no objection can be offered to the plan of allowing tho people themselves to siy whether they wish the poll to be taken every thren years, or only every six years, It will be curious to see bow it works out. jWe fancy that each side will feel a ; i little nervous in voting foraii rx'ens'oa of the time, unless it feels sure that it is going to win on the main issua, A ! decided improvement on the present law is contained in the clauses which provide that publicans shall be licensed as well as their premises. The Bill on the whole is a distinct improvement on the existing law in matters wherein it requires amendment."