AGY-1176 | Licenses Reduction Board [I]

Full description

The Licenses Reduction Board was constituted by the Liquor (Amendment) Act, 1919. The purpose of the Board was to reduce the number of publican's licenses in New South Wales by selecting the public houses to be closed and fixing compensation payments. The Board was appointed by for a period of three years from 1 January 1920. (1) The reduction of Australian Wine Licenses became the responsibility of Licenses Reduction Board from 1 January 1923. In determining which licenses would cease the Licenses Reduction Board considered the - * Character of, and accommodation afforded by, any licensed premises * Business conduct * Distances between licensed premises * Any offences against the Liquor Acts * The convenience of the public * The requirements of the several localities within an electorate The Licensing Reduction Board held its first deprivation sittings in the Sydney electorate during August-November 1920 and, having inspected 314 premises removed 16 licenses. A problematic relationship existed with the Licensing Courts that could still authorise the transfer of licenses, and even, in special cases, grant new licenses without reference to the Board. (2) A Compensation Fund was established drawing a percentage amount from the gross amount of liquor purchases by licensed publicans (3%) and later holders of Australian wine licenses (1%). Consolidated Revenue Funds moneys were available if the Compensation Fund could not meet demands. (3) Every determination of the Licenses Reduction Board was to be "final and conclusive" and not subject to judicial review. (4) The Liquor (Amendment) Act (No.51 1923) reconstituted the Licenses Reduction Board from 1 July 1924. FOOTNOTES (1) Liquor (Amendment) Act (No.42 1919) Section 8 (1) (a) (2) Golder, Hilary High and Responsible Office A History of the NSW Magistracy, Sydney University Press, Sydney 1991 pp. 153-154. (3) Renshaw, Samuel Liquor Law in New South Wales, The Law Book Company of Australasia, Sydney 1955 pp. 378-379. (4) Op. cit Section 24.