THE LIQUOR PROBLEM.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1094, 5 April 1911, Page 3

THE LIQUOR PROBLEM.

PROPOSED LEGISLATION. THE COMPACT. Tho twenty-fourth annual report of the New Zealand Alliance stales:— "The past hr.s been an especially important year in the history of the Nn-Licenso reform. The reformers' lot since tho inception of the movement in N'ew Zealand lias been strenuous and frequently full of anguish, but the travail of many souls contributed to an enlightened' public' sentiment and support at the ballot bos, which suggested that even greater things might be ours. While we were musing tho Jiio burned, and the iueais ot uw party, whicti hut; been the centre of inicresi; at many tine conventions, glowed with new possibilities-, and our people talked aboui simple majority and Lonuuion option in a way winch sugttsted tnac they meant business. In tins spine epoch-making meetings were organiseu in tne tour centres ot tnc Dominion to protest against the disabilities under wnich wo had laboured in the past, and to demand t'rem Parliament and the Government that a majority of tho voters of New Zealand shouict determine tile fate of .tho liquor traffic right throughout the Dominie;, as well as in the local districts. The psychological moment seemed to have arrived. A magnificent spirit dominated tho party, and the advocacy of our leaders, Messrs. Sprngg, Adams, Isitt, and others, was so powerful, the meetings were so enthusiastically unanimous and so desperately in earnest, that the whole country was impressed. Tho forces which make for righteousness rejoiced in new possibilities; the newspapers reviewed the position with surprise, but generally sanely, and frequently sympathetically; the 'Trade was frenzied by the fresh and more vivid appreciation of its danger; tho Government and members of Parliament recognised tin? need for reform, and Mr. Laurenson's Bill covering the demand of our Dominion C.mverJion, which met in June last, was regarded in such a way as would have surprised us a few months earlier. Our party has long importuned the Government for reform legislation, without making much progress, but this year, under the aggressive influence of a new enthusiasm, its representations led to serious negotiations with, a view to n satisfactory position Ving reached. "Our party was asked through the Alliance secretary to state what modifications it would consent to in the event of tho Government undertaking the passage of an amending Bill last session. Thus commenced serious and exceedingly delicate negotiations. In the first place our secretary met with official representatives of the party throughout the Dominion and received a mandate substantially in agreement with the terms finally decided upon. By oversight and misadventure a few were absent from these conferences whose presence would have contributed to their completeness, but withal, these gatherings were representative and influential. The executive then felt it wise to enter into negotiations with the Attorney-General on behalf of the Government. The executive sat frequently during the anxious days while these negotiations wei'e in progress, ana it confirmed the points of agreement as they were reached from time to time. The Trade also consented to this agreement through the medium of the Attor-ney-General. The agreement or compact when finally expressed in a Parliamentary Bill provided "that the poll should .bt taken in electorates as at present, ana No-License should be. carried if 55 per cent, of tho valid votes wevo for that issue, and further, that the votes throughout the Dominion should be aggregated and Prohibition carried for the Dominion on the same majority. Local No-License "was., to be given effect to in every electorate that carried that issue by its own vote in about 18 mouths, from the time of the poll instead of about six months as at present; while any electorates which hilcd to reach the 55 nor cent, standard, in tho event of Prohibition beins carried for the Dominion, should enjoy the benefits of Prohibition about II year.' from the date of the poll. Provision was made for Dominion Prohibition being in operation not less than three years before another noil would be taken, and then for another four years before licenses could again operate, and the effect of (he Dominion decision was to prohibit the sale, -manufacture, and importation of liquor except for medical, industrial, and sacramental purposes. The anangement further provided for the elimination of the reduction issue, while in addition the Government gave assurance that our demand for the abolition Of beer depots, the locker system, bottle licenses, and other minor reforms should be legislated for at the samo time. These, briefly, were to be the main provisions of the Government's amending Bills, the announcement of which caused such profound interest among all sections of the community. "A special meeting of the Dominion Convention was called which asked that the compact be amended by providing that the votes be expressed by two ballot papers instead of one. This, the Governreported, the Trade refused to consent to, and called upon the Government to pass the Bill as agreed upon either at the last or coming sessions of Parliament, .the while declaiming against the unfaithfulness of our parly and its leaders. We are still faced with the reiterated challenge of the Trade to make good, our agreement at the coming session of Parliament,'and the question of 'What next?' is engaging the attention-of our leaders Many of our party whoso good judgment sincerity, and courage is established beyond question, resent any suggestion to revivo the compact. "Another section, which is also acknowledged to be wise and true, feel strongly that we should accept the challenge. The final decision belongs to this Dominion Convention. The delegates will be asked to adjudicate upon the matter. Wo trust the delegates will approach the consideration of the matter "with natience and loyalty, and that a wi.w and right settlement will be secured."