THE LICENSING BILL.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 9083, 7 May 1908, Page 5

THE LICENSING BILL.

SECOND READING CARRIED. THE PREMIER ON GOVERNMENT PROPOSALS. Received May 6, 8.15 a.m. LONDON, May 5. In the House of Commons the amendment moved by Mr G. Cave (Unionist member for the Kingston division of Surrey) urging the House not to proceed w.ith the Licensing Bill, as it fails to promote temperance, and violates the principles of equity, was rejected by a majority of 250. The Bill was read a second time by 394 votes to 198, and referred to a committee of the whole House. In the course of the debate the Prime Minister (Right Hon. H. H. Asquith) denied that the imposition of a time limit for licenses was confiscatory. He remarked that supposing the Chancellor of the Exchequer proposed an ascending scale of license duties it woulud not be called confiscation. He was not proposing to take the monopoly value in that way step by step, but allowed fifteen years' notice, including the year granted for the reassessment of licensed premises. HOW THE MAJORITY WAS COMPOSED. Received May 6, 8.59 a.m. LONDON, May 5. The majority for the second reading of the Licensing Bill was composed of 333 Liberals, 51 Labour members, 3 Nationalists, and 7 Unionists. Many Liberals openly declare their hope that the House of Lords will reject the measure unless drastic amendments are made in committee.