LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

Taranaki Daily News, 6 December 1918, Page 8

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

YBsTEKDAt'3 SITTINGS. The Legislative Council met ai 13.30The Post and Telegraph Bill wa.3 read, a. first time; tho Licencing Amendment Bill passed through tbo 'Houso with the exception of the clauses referring to compensation, ia which a special committee of the Council had made amendments. "These v.'cro postponed, dso the clause dealing with (i o'clock closing. •Sir Francis Bell stated his intention of moving in the House' r. m~,7 clause continuing 6 o'clock closing till June 30, W2O. If the determination at the special licensing poll is ra favor of national continuance, then at the next general licensing poll there 3iia.ll .be submitted a separate issue whether restricted hours shall continue. The Legislative Council resumed at 3 p.m., for consideration of tho Licensing Amendment Bill.

On clause 2, making 0 o'clock closing permanent, Sir Francis Bell moved an addition to continue G o'clock closing til" .Time 30, 1920, and to taks a referendum at the next general licensing poll as. to whether the restricted hours be permanent. Ho stated this would afford an opportunity for reconsideration of the clause in the House. The addition was rejected by 20 to 10, and clause 2 was carried. Progress wa,3 reported on the Bill. The Post and Telegraph Department Bill was passed through all stages. Sir W. Buchanan a?.d Hon. G. M. Thomson protested against the departure from the principles ot the Public Service Act. The Council rosa at 5 till 8. The Legislative Council passed the Licensing Amendment Bill. In committee a number of amendments were made or recommended, including provision for one assessor at the Compensation Court. In country hotels up to six- fenths value of the land and buildings, instead of 50 per cent, as in the ; city.