The Wairarapa Daily FRIDAY, MAY 2, 1890. The Personnel of Licensing Committees.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XI, Issue 3500, 2 May 1890, Page 2

The Wairarapa Daily FRIDAY, MAY 2, 1890. The Personnel of Licensing Committees.

Oim Pahiatua contemporary writes as follows on the subject of Licensing Committees:—" There can bo no possible objection to Justices of tho Peace taking an active part in local or general politics, but we do think they should refrain, from seeking election on Licensing Committees. So far as we aro aware there is no law to prevent Justices sitting on a Licensing Bench, but there is reason to fear that the two offices will not work well together. For instance, it is quite possible that after granting a license the very same gentlemen (as Justices), may have to hold an inquiry on the person who they have just invested with authority to dispense liquors. To say the least of it, it is bad taste on the part -of Justices to allow themselves to be elected. The whole of the Licensing Act teems with instructions to Justices, and suoh being the oase we do not hesitate to say that they should not allow themselves to be placed on Licensing Committees. A great deal might be said againstsuch a practice, but we will content ourselves with having drawn attention to thernatter." There is another aspect of the question, whioh our contemporary appears to hare overlooked. Justices of the Peace ought to be above any suspicion of being capable of giving other than a fair and unbiased decision upon any enquiry whioh they may be called upon to conduct. In former years when Licensing Commissioners were appointed by the Crown, almost every Commissioner was a Justice of the Peace, and, as far as our experience wont, never were the duties of licensing and controlling hotels more carefully and impartially discharged. In those days licensed victuallers and the people generally had implicit confidence in the licensing tribunal, and it was felt that the fact of mon of the highest character and position being on the licensing bench was a protection both to the trade and the public. If now Justices of the Peace may not without objection sit on Licensing Committees, they must havo deteriorated sadly from the old standard. It is very important that the personnel of Licensing Committees should stand as high as possible, and if we were to find fault with the existing method of electing them, it would be on tho ground that gentlemen holding the position of Justices of the Peace who formerly manned the Bench will not now offer their services. I