The Wairarapa Daily. WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 1888. The Licensing Act.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume IX, Issue 2718, 8 February 1888, Page 2

The Wairarapa Daily. WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 1888. The Licensing Act.

A communication from our special correspondent in our last issue intimated that there was a probability of two new licenses being granted at Palliatua, so that during the coming year that progressive settlement will enjoy the luxury ot three hotels. When some three or four years ago Pabiatua proposed to convert the excellent accommodation house then occupied by Mr Crewe into a public house, we advised settlers there to do without a license for some further period.. We felt that one hotel was not then needed, and we feel that three are now unnecessary. It does not follow however that they should be dispensed with because they are unnecessary. Under the present licensing act almost any man who seeks to obtain a license can get one. A year ago two new Hotels were not required in Masterton but they obtained licenses and if two more promoters of Hotel licenses went to work, m a similar raauner, this year a couple more licenses could 110 doubt be obtained. As far as our experience goes the prrent licensing act in this district is an utter failuro and the elective principle embodied in it is a delusion and a snare. The time is now coming round again for the annual election of our licensing committees, and the farce will probably be repeated of pitchforking on to them the usual publicans' nominees. The oily people, as a rule, who take a genuine interest in theso elections are the licensed victuallers or thoso who seek to become licensed victuallers, and these usually control the voting. The Temperance party do display a certain amount of interest in tho proceedings, It is understood that tliey are in some way making a protest, but it is pretty generally known also that no wellorgauisod or earnest action from this quarter is likely to endanger an election. Before the poll takes place it is known whoareto be returned, all arrangements are made and the candidates for whom they are cut and dried have virtually a waik over. We trust some day to see elective licensing committees abolished and nominated commissioners replace them. The old Wairarapa liconsingbenches—a couple of them served the whole district—- | kept the hotels of this district in far better order thau the present committees maintain them. They regulated the number of them within a reasonable limit, and saw that proper and adequate accoraraodf.t'on was provided for the public. A landlord in those days knew that the licensing bench was his master, now he recognises it as his servant. Having watched the two systems working in the Wairarapa we do not hesitate to say.that the present elective machinery is an expensive farce, and that the former system was for all practical intents and purposes immensely superior to it.