EFFICIENCY BOARD'S LIQUOR TRADE PROPOSALS

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 266, 30 July 1918, Page 3

EFFICIENCY BOARD'S LIQUOR TRADE PROPOSALS

DEPUTATION TO HON. G. W. RUSSELL. By Telegraph—Press Aesooia.tion Dunedin, July 29. Representatives of prohibitionists ami several business men waited on the .Hon, G. W. Russell to-day to urge Ministerial support of tho Efficiency Board's proposals respecting the total abolition of the liquor trade, with compensation. Ihe Minister made public first time some important details. He said he personally favoured Hie deputation's teciuest, but expressed a decided opinion that a large inimbtT of electors would view gravely the payment of four and a halt millions for the goodwill of the Trado only. Ho alternatively mentioned a scheme by which open bars could bo closed- for the war period, and hinted that it might be worth while for the prohibitionists to consider such partial prohibition. He expressed grave doubts as lo the possibility of giving eflect to the board's proposal during the coining session, and subsequently in the same session pass the necessary legislation to givo effect to tho decision. If National Prohibition were carried tho right of SO,OOO soldiers to vole must be considered. Ho had doubts if the country would agree to pay a huge sum as compensation, for which no tangible asset remained. If Prohibition were curried thore <>ould be an. increased financial burden annually of cEl,300;000. He cited tho Efficiency Board's recent memorandum answering the miners' questions. These replies emphasised I hat the compensation would be for the goodwill only, and determined by a special Court. Tho details were, however, strictly confidential. The board also stated that any legislation must prevent any effort to resurrect the Trade, and also be njade effective as regards total Prohibition. Also tliat the legislation should contain no provision whatever for making the compensation retrospective. *