CHANGES IN LIQUOR LAW SOUGHT.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1737, 30 April 1913, Page 9

CHANGES IN LIQUOR LAW SOUGHT.

BY PRESBYTERIANS, DEPUTATION TO MR. MASSES (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) Auckland, April 28. Several amendments of the Licensing Act, desired by tho Presbyterian General Assembly, were placed before the Prime Minister this afternoon by a deputation tf Auckland Presbyterian ministers and elders headed by tho Rev. A. Miller. Moderator of the Auckland Presbytery. The Rev. Sir. Miller, in introducing the deputation, said that its members were Appointed by the Presbyterian General Assembly in November last to wait upon tho Prime Minister with the object of placing before him, prior to tho coming session, several suggested amendments to the Licensing Act upon the desirability of which the Assembly (representing all Presbyterians in the Dominion) had unanimously agreed. The changes that they asked for were:—(l) A reduction of tho majority necessary for carrying No-license or National Prohibition from 65 per cent to 55 per cent of the valid votes recorded. (2) That, in the event of National Prohibition being carried, it should Wne into operation within two years of the date of the poll instead of within four years as the law now provided. (3) The' abolition of private bars and the establishment of the principle of. "one license one bar." The speaker added that it was the hope of the deputation, as well as of thoso whom,. they represented, .that theso changes might be given effect to during the coming session. Tho Prime Minister, in reply, stated that the Government had to consider the question from several points of view— from social Arid financial points—and also to consider tie fact that a great many people were involved in the business. "Up to the present wo hnve not got to tho length of attempting to complete our programme for the session,'' said .Mr. Maseey. "There are two' Labour Bills in course of preparation and also a Land Bill; all of which will lie in my own charge. Then there will bo a Bill dealing with the Legislative Council, besides a number nf other Bills. Tho question as to whether there would be a Liquor Bill could not be definitely settled until there was a fairly full meeting of the Cabinet. From ono point of view a Liquor Bill is not so important as some of the other Bills," added the Prime Minister, "because it cannot be given effect to until neit election. The deputation could rest assured, however, that its representations would he laid before Cabinet at the first opportunity—certainly before the Houso met. They would then be' able to tell whether it would be possible to go on with a Liquor Bill this session. I cannot commit the Government in the meantime to any. course of action," said Mr. Ma.~s&y. "and I would certainly not.attempt lo decide such an important proposal unless there were at least seven out of tho nine Ministers present." '