CLUB CHARTERS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2350, 17 November 1908, Page 3

CLUB CHARTERS.

AN INTERESTING POINT

An interesting point, has been raised as to whether club- charters Avill-bo dealt with; independently in the event of reduction being carried (says the Wellington, correspondent of the “N. Z. Herald”),''or if they are to be added to the total, of hotels, Avith wliosc licenses the licensing committees have to deal. The query avas referred to an official of the Department of the Minister for Internal Affairs, when it avas found that tho point avas one of some importance, which, so far as Avas knoAvn, had not been previously raised. The Licensing Act is quite clear as to AA'hat is to happen, when no-license is carried, for it is laid down in section 263 that this would mean the suspension of all club charters, hut, strange to say, no provision seems to have been made for dealing •Avifcli cases such as that referred to. Tho carrying of reduction, would apparently have no effect upon the number of club charters. There is no provision for reducing their number in any way beyond suspending them altogether. Club charters are regarded as altogether apart from the ordinary hotel licenses, and. are dealt with in quite another Avay. The Colonial Secretary has power to suspend them under /certain, circumstances, but that isi about all.