THE LICENSING BILL.

Press, Volume XLIX, Issue 14841, 5 December 1913, Page 7

THE LICENSING BILL.

HELD OVER UNTIL NEXT TEAR. OUTLINE OF ITS PROVISIONS. WHEN WILL THE SESSION END? ■ ST-TEMENT BY THE PRIME MINISTER. (sr_m~ to "the tress.") WELLINGTON, December 4. As 6oon as the House resumed after the dinner adjournment to-night, the Prime Minister said he had a few words to say on the subject of what business he proposed should be proceeded with. It had he went on to say, been decided to postpone going on with tho consideration of a Licensing Bill until the commencement of next session. The Bill would be brought down early in the session, and would contain three provisions. In the first place it was intended to make the issues submitted on the ballot papers clearer than they were at present. The Government was given to understand that there had been considerable confusion in regard to this matter at the last local option polls, and that people had voted in a way that they did not intend to vote. It was also intended to bring in an amendment of the law regarding the registration of barmaids, and there would be a provision reducing the majority required in connection with the National Prohibition poll from 60 to 55 per cent. The Bill would not in any sense be made a party question or a policy measure. It would be considered, as licensing bills were usually considered, from a nonparty point of view. Each member would be free to vote in accordance with his convictions and his election pledges. On both sides of the Houso there was-a considerable difference of opinion in regard to licensing matters. Many Government members would support the Bill, while others would vote against it. As a matter of fact some difference of opinion existed in the Cabinet itself. Tho Bill would be brought down at the earliest possible moment next session, and members would be given an opportunity of placing it on tho Statute Book. Members ought to rest assured that they would be given the opportunity of dealing with the Bill so as to bring it into operation for the next general election and local option polls. In answer to Mr W. D. S. MacDonald, the Prime Minister said it was just possible that the Public Works Statement would be discussed next evening, and th_ discussion of the Estimates would follow. So far as the business of the session was concerned, they should be able to finish about the end of next week. There were still a number of Bills on the Order Paper, but if ordinary progress was mado, they ought to be able to get through by the date he had mentioned. Mr Isitt: Does tho Government pledge itself to see the Licensing Bill through one way or the other? Does' the Prime Minister say that the Bill shall come to a vote next session P The Ron. W. F. Massey: "Yes, the BilL-will -be brought -down atf the earliest possible moment, and Parliament will be given, an opportunity of dealing with it." Ho added that the Bill would be circulated beforo the end of this session.