ENGLISH LICENSING BILL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LI, Issue 61, 2 March 1908, Page 2

ENGLISH LICENSING BILL.

ANOTHER CONTENTIOUS MEASURE. Loinlon, February 28. In the House uf Commons, Mr. Asquith introduced a comprehensive Licensing Bill, Ira sod to some .extent on the minority report of Lord Foci's commission. The Bill comprises the immediate and a progressive reduction-of the facilities on the retail side for the sale of intoxicants. The Bill provides that the State gradually, ami with due regard to existing interests, shall recover dominion over the monopoly improvideutly allowed to escape its control. ' Some reports state that Mr Asquith's Bill is likely to extend the license to 14 years, and make other concessions.

A protracted struggle in committee is anticipated. Mr. Asquith considered it was contrary to public policy to encourage tied houses. The Bill fixes the annual value in this case as the difference between the value returned for income tax purposes and the value of premis-is if unlicensed, the latter to be estimated by the commissioners of inland revenue. After 14 years, the monopoly value of all licenses will be restored to the community and local option follow; meanwhile the parochial electors exercise a local vote in connection with new licenses, the vote being binding for three years. Clubs must register annually to afford an opportunity for objections, and uniformed police officials may inspect them. The Bill fixes the limit for bona fide travellers six miles, and con- | fers local option to Wales, extends the l Welsh closing closing to Monmouthshire, disallows children to enter licensed bars.

Mr. Balfour strenuously protested that the extinction of legal property was robbery, and the compensation offered was not the present market value. That was a fair sum. Anything else would be wrong. He predicted the multiplication of unlicensed drinking places.

Liberals and Laboritcs warmly supported the Bill, which was read a first time.

The Liberal newspapers welcome Ilie measure as bold ami far-reaching; the Conservatives predict great disturbances and annoyance and little good towards the promotion of temperance. The temperance Commoners cheered as Mr. Asquith questioned the. existence of legal right of property in licenses, but were silent when, he remarked tint there had grown up outside of. the law interests which statesmen were unable to ignore.

The Bill proposes the compulsory reduction in the number of no-licensis during the time limit for compensation, namely 14 years, suppressing 32,000, ,ir one-third of the whole, and fixes the maximum number of licenses according to the density of population. It greatly reduces the scale,of compensation and establishes a central Licensing Commission. °

-Mr. Balfour's compensation fund ar.>a ot levy, on the licensing trade covers the whole of England and Wales. The compensation for such would suffice with an interest rate of 4 per cent, to purchase an immediate annuity for the unexpired years of the reduction period ,iL Tw? 61 ' 3 tm Inland • <1 Img what they consider just compensation to l.cense holders for loss of busi-

,-„; i,-n'°? critl , ClSm of the new Lieeas>ng Hill has already begun. Members >t the_ trade declare that what is proposed is sheer robbery. The non-con-tornnsts and temperance advocates applaud the measure. '

The .brewery sharcmarket is parilyscd and other investments are affejtNEWSTAPBR STORM OF DECLAMATION.

PALL IN BREWERY SECURITIES. Received 2!) th, 4.4,? p,m. London, February 29. Hie Times commenting on the money markets, states that the outstanding feature ,s the . weakness in brewer? shares Dealers have marked dnvA, prices throughout as a precaution, and dealings are impossible. The brewery Commercial Trust preferred shares fell two points, and deferred shares three points. The Financial Times says the nominal maiking down in the values of" brewery nml allied stocks, represents an aggregate shrinkage of 32 millions. S Asanas %m ] : ' Mms «M Mr. wZ™t „« ," ~ s * sm the Heath "'nwtof the Government. The_ Financial News savs the hnprcsthat the Bill was introduced for the Ijpose of filling a eup for tU Co of Lords to convince teetotallers it is inpeless to think of inducing the co„„try to agree to views in the direction of spoliation.