The Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR P.M. Resurrexi. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 1881.

Thames Star, Volume XII, Issue 3968, 16 September 1881, Page 2

The Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR P.M. Resurrexi. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 1881.

There is every prospect of the Licensing Bill passing this session, but altered somewhat from what it was when it first left the House of Kepresentativea. • The Lords, upon its first appearance in the Upper Chamber, made tome radical changes in it, which, upon being reported to the other Chamber, at first were rejected, but, a committee having been appointed consisting of members from each Chamber, an understanding has been arrived at. Tl*& report: iubtnitte<s tp the

House by the managers appointed states that the Legislative Council's objection to clause six has, been withdrawn, on condition that an addition is made to it. This clause had reference to the formation of districts, providing that each county and borough vrus a district ou being proclaimed so by the Governor, the places outside of counties and boroughs being classed as speoial districts. Tlie additiou required to this clause by the Council is as follows:—" Provided that uo lieeusing district shall contain less than one hundred ratepayers." The Lords also attempted to strike out the New Zealand wine license, but have now allowed the clause relatiug to such to stand as part of the bill. Local option, the great prin ciple and feature of the bill, the Upper Chamber were at first deter mined to exclude from the measure, but have now withdrawn their objection. The clause, as it stood at first, read as follows : —" From and after the commencement of this Act no new publican's, family hotel, club, bottle, New Zealand wine, or billiard-table license (except respectively for premises in respect of which a license is held and is in force at the aforesaid time), shall be granted until the ratepayers of the district shall have previously determined, in manner hereinafter provided, whether the number of such licenses, within the district, may or may not respectively be increased." The words in italic are now to be withdrawn, and the following added at the end of the clause—" In the licensing district for which the poll is to be taken." When it is remembered that the districts referred to might be the ward of a borough, the riding of a county, or any division of a district where ratepayers' roll was in force, in which the polling might take place, the significance of the amendment by the Upper House will be apparent. Instead of a poll taking place in any particular part of the Borough where it might be considered desirable to refuse new licenses, the sense of the entire district will have to be taken on the question. A few other alterations hare been made, but they are of a simple character, relating to details, and effect the measure but slightly.