THE LIQUOR LAWS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2419, 6 February 1909, Page 5

THE LIQUOR LAWS.

A QUEENSLAND INVESTIGATOR. [Press Association.] WELLINGTON, Feb. G. Mr. R. A. Hanking, Police Magistrate, of Queensland, arrived in Wellington by tho Mokoia to-day. Mr. Ranking lias been specially appointed by the Queensland Government- to inquiro into tlic liquor laws of the various States of the Commonwealth and New Zealand. He states that tlio Queensland liquor laws date back to ISBS and ISSG, and although a few amending Acts have since been passed, the Government feels that the wliolo of the existing legislation relating to the liquor traffic, is a little behind the times. Tlio Government of Queensland proposes to pass new liquor legislation, which will be based largely on Mr. Ran king's researches. Ho wii conduct liis main inquiries m this country on lines which may bo summarised as follows: The general result in New Zealand of the diminution and total abolition of licenses in particular districts, as regarded the visible effects noon social and civil improvements, the diminution m crime, the effect on the 'Customs revenue and generally as to how the well-being of the community had been, or seemed to have been, affectedjalso •is to the svstem of taking licensing pollls, whether they should bo taken on tlie same day as the general ejections polling, and the majority required for carrving tlie issues submitted; as to the svstem of giving compensation' for licenses removed, as to the discrimination, if any, between license fees in various .portions of olio same citv, as to any system existing bv which license fees vary in regard to the amount- of trade done, as to tho question of wholesale spirit merchants, Sunday trading, and tlic adulteration of (liquor.