LICENSING COMPLAINTS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 8057, 27 February 1906, Page 2

LICENSING COMPLAINTS.

A SERIOUS CHAItGE. rivtt PHESS association. Wellington, February 20. A deputation from the New Zealand Alliance waited on the Acting-Colonial Secretary this morning. Complaints were made of the granting of Club charters at Feilding. Mastei'ton) and Hastings, in each of which places there had been a majority vote at the recent election in favor of 110licensc. Complaints were also made of Hie inaccuracy of the local option returns as published by the Government. The Jiew F. W. J silt also alleged that one returning officer had offered a scrutineer £3O to connive at certain dishonest practises. It was impossible to get corroborative evidence of this, but he quoted a case lo the M inister to show the need of exercising care in appointing returning officers. The Minister (Colonel Pitt), in reply said charters were only granted after careful consideration, and a number had been refused. As to the allegation that certain patent medicines contained 33 to 50 per cent, of alcohol, he would draw the attention of the Customs Department to them. He admitted that the local option return published 111 the Gazette was somewhat misleading, and promised to consult the City Electoral Oflicer. He eould do nothing regarding anonymous allegations against a returning oflicer, and assured the deputation that great care would be exercised in making appointments. Mr Isitt said he thought the person making the allegation would make a written statement.