THE LIQUOR QUESTION

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 250, 10 July 1918, Page 5

THE LIQUOR QUESTION

NO AGREEMENT BETWEEN ALLI- • ANCE AND TRADE. By Telegraph-Press Association. Auckland, July 9. Tho opinion expressed by the Hon. G. W. Russell that the leaders of the liquor trade, and tho executivo of the Now Zealand Alliance would agree, if indeed they had not already agreed, to a poll of the electors oil the liquor question on the proposals of the National Efficiency Board, was submitted to Mr. A. S. Bankart, chairman of tho Auckland Provincial Council, and to tho Rev. P. S. Smallfiold, president of the Alliance. Air. Bankart dismissed tho matter by remarking that such a statement could only emanate from the imagination of the Minister, and was quite inaccurate. Mr. Smallfield, whilo declaring that tho Alliance was opposed to the payment of compensation, said it was prepared to assent to such payment as an act of expediency and as a means of abolishing the trade. Tho Efficiency Board regarded tho payment of compensation as an immediate means of finally disposing of the trade, and the leaders of the Alliance felt thoy had no right to opposo this view, and had therefore decided to support the board. Timaru, July 9. Tho Rev. R. S. Gray, representing tho Now Zealand Alliance, at a large meeting last night, in reply to tho Hon. G. W. Russoll, stated that there was not an agreement with tho Trade. The Trade had neve'.- been approached by nor_ had it approached the Alliance. Tho Alliance would to no parly to a compact with tho Trado. Its present attitude was duo solely to strong representations by business men for tho necessity of adopting tho Efficiency Board's proposal for immediate Prohibition in the economic and general interests of tho Dominion. Duncdin, July 9. Tho Dunedin Presbytery to-day resolved to heartily approve of the Alliance's acceptance of Efficiency Board's proposals as a basis of settlement of the liquor question.