The second reading of a very crude and unworkable Local
Option Bill for Wales was carried on Wednesday by a majority of six in the House of Commons, the Government not taking any official line on the subject. It allows a two- thirds majority of the resident ratepayers to suppress all public-houses if they will ; an absolute majority to determine on. refusing any extension of licences; and an absolute majority to determine on reducing them to a given figure, the licensing authorities to make out a list of the public- houses in order of their right to exist, and all public-houses being suppressed which have a number attached to them higher than the maximum number voted for by the ratepayers. No compensation is provided for in any ease; so that it maybe called a Bill to allow ratepayers to ruin dealers in alcohol, if a given majority of them wish it. The numbers were, for the Bill, 185; against it, 179.
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