WHAT LICENSEES ASK

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 2183, 23 June 1914, Page 5

WHAT LICENSEES ASK

POLITICIANS' GUARDED REPLY. (By TriejrraDh.—Precs Association.' Tlmaru, June 22. A deputation from the South Canterbury Council of Licensed Victuallers met Messrs. Craigie and Buxton," M.Pi's, to-day.

Mr. Smith, of Waitaki, explained that the purpose was to urgo upon their representatives the right of those engaged in the Trade to fair treatment. They asked that a local option vote should not apply until after a period of time equal to that elapsing in tho case of National Prohibition; that houses that had lost their licenses in the district should be entitled to renewals if returned to a license district by an alteration of boundaries. They asked that no reduction in, the percentage of tho vote necessary, to carry a proposal should be made, but, on thi3 point, they would be satisfied if members observed their pledges. Tho Inst request mado was for an amendment of tho Act to revive half tho former number of licenses in cases whero the vote for No-Licenso in a "dry" district fell below the three-fifths margin, as was the case in Ashburton.

Mr. Craigio said that there was. evidently an anomaly in one portion of tho district being precluded from having a license if, by temporary inclusion in a "dry" district, it had lost one. As for length of grace, there were arguments on both sides. The Prohibitionist said that licenses were only granted for one year, and tho polls threatened tho Trade every third year. Ro promised full consideration to the requests made. Mr. Buxton said that he did not liko the position in Goraldine, which had been brought into tho Ashburton "dry" district', though a majority of votes at tho poll favoured, restoration, and in such a cuse, a majority should rule. His own pledge was to vote for the 55 per cent, or for tho bare majority if he thought fit. He felt untrammelled, and would define it after hearing tho pros and cons. Ho would not pledge himself further than he had done, and must vote sis he thought best in the interests of his constituency.