The Licensing Act.

Waimate Daily Advertiser, Volume IV, Issue 234, 26 July 1902, Page 1

The Licensing Act.

Wkt-linuton, July 23. A largo deputation representing the New Zealand Alliance waited upon Sir J. G. Ward to-night, and asked that the licensing po 1 machine!y should be made more perfect. It was pointed out that the returning officers did not seem to know what their duties were, and it was desired that the matter should be made perfectly clear. The contradictory decisions given in Oamaru and Bruce were explained, and it was stated that a Bill had been drafted doing away with the regulations under the Regulations of Local Elections Act, IS7G. The main feature of this Bill was a provision for the 1 taking of a recount at the discretion of the Stipeudary Magistrate, from whose decision an appeal could be made to the Supreme Court. Sir J. G. Ward, in reply, said that there could be no two opinion* that the law should be administered in one district the same as in another. Ho had not seen the Bill referred to by the deputation, but speaking frankly—he did not or one moment doubt the value cf .the Bill —he thought that there was a desire that the machinery should work as the Legislature had in" tended it should. Whatever was i to be done should be drafted by the J Law Officers, submitted to the I Cabinet for consideration, and by it I introduced in the ordinary way. Ha j thought that this anomaly 'in the j law ought to be removed, and he ! would be very glad to have it i removed if possible.