Untitled

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVI, Issue 6301, 22 June 1881, Page 2

Two important amendments were made to the clause of the Licensing Bill referring to bottle licenses yesterday afternoon. The clause, as it originally stood, provided “ that not less than one bottle, containing not less than a reputed quart, shall be sold or disposed of at any time to any one person.” To this was added a proviso “ that the sale of single bottles be confined to premises in which bottle licenses are now in force. And further, “that no licensee shall carry on any other business in the said premises.” This, it was argued, would remove the cause for complaint alleged against the bottle license system giving bibulous females opportunities of purchasing strong liquors under the guise of groceries, or other household requisites, because the storekeeper selling liquors would have to keep a separate and distinct establishment for the purpose. But this did not satisfy, by any means, the wishes of the temperance advocates in the House, and after the adjournment the clause was again attacked, and it was quickly evident there had been during the adjournment a brisk marshalling of forces, for the bottle licence clause was soon after expunged from the Bill altogether. Then followed a series of attempts to incorporate provision for the bottle trade in subsequent clauses, and the greater part of the evening session was thus wasted. Judging from present indications the Bill will be so cut and hacked about in committee, that when it reaches the Upper House it will be incontinently cast out.