LICENSING MATTERS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVI, Issue 93, 23 April 1904, Page 3

LICENSING MATTERS.

THE ENGLISH IiILL. REFLECTION ON THE PRIME MINISTER. LONDON. April 21. The RigM Hon. A. Akers-Bouglas (Home Secretary) following the recommendations of the Royal Commission, introduced a Licensing ilill leased on the principle that the trade must compensate publicans whose licenses are' taken away solely on the igfrotund of public policy,'" the money to be raised on the basis of the annual value of the licensed premises by a graduated duty imposed ranging from as pound lo £l5O per year. The maximum amount to be raised each year will bo a milljfjn. The measure provides that compensation shall be the difference between the value of licensed premises and the value of premises without license. The quarterly sessions are given the sole power of refusing renewals or transfers on grounds of public policy, and are also given power to impose and distribute contributions from the trade for purposes of compensation. Sir Wilfrid Lawson said the measure endowed a monopoly, converting an annual leasehold into a freehold.

Sir Henry (Leader of the Opposition) indicated strenuous opposition to the Hill. He said it was 'a timid concession for party purposes to a powerful trade. The Right Hon. A. J. Ilal.four deprecated this imputation of meanest motives to the Government. The Opposition treated the publican like a wild beast, to bV hunted down. The Hill was read a lirst time by 314 votes to 117.

During the tlubate on the Licensing Bill, Lord George Hamilton (late Secretary of State for India), accused the Right Hon. A.J. Halfour (Prime Minister) of shielding licensing scandals in Manchester because some of his coi:s;i ! ucnts were involved. Mr Balfour angrily rebuked the oalunim'ator, and declared that he had never heard of the transaction. The brewers seem pleased with the Bill, and the publicans are acquiescent . Vnionists suppbrting temperance, voted with the Government, and a number of Literals left the House.

Hullocky Bill hnd a cold so bad That, though his langluatg'eJ was very sad, His team stood placidly chewing the cud, While the wheels sank deeper into the mud. Woods' Peppermint Cure his voice brought back. When of classical speech there was no lack, And his cattle took to their work with a will, 'Neath the lurid appeals of Bullocky Bill.