This expression is applied by Hallam (Const. Hist c. 13) to ,” acts of parliament for the restraint of print g ing, except by license. It may also be ap i plied to any act of parliament passed for the purpose of requiring a license for doing any I act whatever. But, generally, when we speak t of the licensing acts, we mean the acts regulating the sale of intoxicating liquors. Moz- ley & Whitley.