HOW FARE THE TWO FACTIONS?

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 979, 21 November 1910, Page 4

HOW FARE THE TWO FACTIONS?

ME. SPEAGGE ON THE LIQUOR BILL. (By Teleßraph.r-Pres! Assodation.l Auckland, November 19. The president of tho New Zealand Alliance, Mr. Wesley Spraggc, referring to tho new licensing Act, mado an. important statement from the No-license party's standpoint to-day. "Whatever may be stated in favour of the new licon-sing law," he said, the thre-3-fifths-handicap leaves it an unsatisfactory measure. It has good points, but these are overshadowed by the undemocratic voting provision. The next election will b e fought out on the question of whether the votes of a pot-houso loafer and his feminine equivalent are to be equal to tho votes of three opponents of the liquor traffic. No candidates are liKcly tobe elected to perpetuate what everybody knows to be opposed to democracy, ■fair play, and good government." "The reduction issue being deleted," saw Sir. Spragge, continuing, "is a concession to the Trade. Tho introduction of the l)o----nrinion issuo is an acknowledgment of a principle which .will be useful later on, oven if its' immediate practical value, is liot much. The provision for . doing away with the barmaid is a healthy expression of public' sentiment, as is also the raising of tho age at which youths can be supplied with liquor. The universal compulsory closing at ten o clock will mean much for the sobriety of the people, for every hour a bar is closed will bo a saving.of money, and mil promote tho health, life, and happiness- of ■ the community. These latter pnnciples are all steps in the right direction; only they should bo extended so as to protect the people for tho wholo twenty-four hours. The removal of brewery depots to a. distance of five miles from the borders of a No-license electorate is, another partial acknowledgment of a principle which will have an educational value out of proportion to its practical value. lo icstrict and ban an evil is bettor than to let it flaunt itself unchallenged. ltos is tho teaching of civilisation. "With nil our disappointment and dissatisfaction," said Mr. Sprap, in conclusion, "wo recognise that something has been gained. The way is now clear for a fight on the simplβ majority-the democratic majonty-at the | nest election." ■ .