THE Manawatu Times. SATURDAY, JUNE 25, 1881. THE LICENSING BILL AND SIR WILLAM FOX.

Manawatu Times, Volume V, Issue 147, 29 June 1881, Page 2

THE Manawatu Times.

SATURDAY, JUNE 25, 1881. THE LICENSING BILL AND SIR WILLAM FOX.

" Worda are things, and a drop of ink falling liks daw upon a thought, produces that which makes thousands, perhaps miilions think." I ' v, ■ i i [

Sm William is determined kf all hazards to sc^pea^point against the veudoi's p£ liquors, and to secure a sweeping reform m the management, arid mode of fonductinT liotel Imisi-:iies.-ea Hisi t .t" Ku .c va« th. t f ea a.ud coffee should be provided hy. 'inibiicans, at all hours for the conventenee and -comfort" of their teeter tal 'ouatomem. Bnt his motion was negatived, honorable, members evidently being of the opinion that this was oouiing ; it rather strong. Hp next moved, that a clause be inserted making it a penal offence, for a pub* lica.« to cash cheques m his hotel, h{s 'eijcuse being, that tbe amendmmi VW to nrpteefc b«sfeme« ag^tt*^

being " lambed down " by the publican. In this too the hon. gentleman was outdone, Mr. Dick cooly replying that legislation of this, prphibifive nature would cv r attain the end the member for ltangitikei had m view. It was no useinakiiig babies of men, he said, w no: would snend their money, if so inclined. Mr. Fisher, m order to prevent the " lambing down" sys-tem; moved that an insertion be made m the clause to tin's effect, that no publicau should take any money ia ■advance for liquors, and should money be given m advance it shall be recoverable by law. This amendment was accordingly inserted, and poor Sir "William once again outdone. We almost wonder lie does not at once move the abolition of public houses; this done, he could not possibly do more for bis pet scheme and hobby — teetotalism. Mr. Barron, said he was ashamed of the drivel which had been displayed during the past fortnight on. the Bill m question.. In this, we cannot agree with the hon. member fo,r Waikaia, as we consider that the licensing question is one of great importance, and certainly as urgent as any Bill brought, before the House, and it is scarcely fair to say that time has been lost m efforts to make perfect a law which the public are anxious to see definitely dealt with. Writing, on this, question the " New Zealand Times " remarks :— ''"Where loss of time has ensued, and is still likoly to, is m what may be termed an empiric legislation attempted by certain extreme advocates of the temperance views, aud which is not unlikely to result m tbe measure being fully rejected as an overwrought and cumbrous piece Of iaecbaaisui, subverting the very purpose for which it wasfirstdevised, For this neither the Government or the reasonable membars of the Hourp, bnt those whose excessive zeal defeats their good intent." In bringing down, and rushing this Bill through, it Will be admitted, is only \rhat the country desired, but certainly not m the form Sir William Fox woulJ have it.