LICENSING LEGISLATION

Evening Post, Volume CXII, Issue 60, 8 September 1926, Page 10

LICENSING LEGISLATION

CONFERENCE APPROVED,

The suggested conference with a view to framing proposals for the improvement of tho licensing trade was considered yosterday by a special meeting of the Dominion Executive of the New Zealand Licensing Reform Association. As an upshot of their deliberations the following letter to the Prime Minister, signed by Mr. R. A. Armstrong, Dominion secretary, was approved:— "I am directed to inform you that a special meeting of the Dominion Executive of the New Zealand Licensing Reform Association was held today for the purpose of considering the statement on the Licensing Bill made yesterday in Parliament by the Hon. Downie Stewart on behalf of the Government.

"Regarding the suggested conference of parties you are already aware that this association has, from the outset, been willing to enter into any reasonable ■ discussions on the subject of reform of tho licensing laws. lam now directed to state that the New Zealand Licensing Reform Association will be glad to take part in any conference having for its definite object the framing of legislative proposals for the improvement and neform of the conditions under which alcoholic liquors are aold, tho provision of increased and improved accommodation for the travelling public, and the prevention of intemperance. "The executive instructs me to make it quite clear, however, that this association firmly holds that any contemplated legislation should deal only with practical reforms of the licensing law for the above-mentioned purposes, and that no interference with the franchise at present held by the electors should bo tolerated for one moment. It is also held that tho public should bo taken into tho fullest confidence in any proceedings such as suggested. I am therefore directed to state that the New Zealand Licensing Reform Asso ciation will take part in the suggested conference only on the clear understanding that the whole of the proceedings shall be open to tho Press, and that an, undertaking shall be given that in any legislation resulting from such conference the right of the moderate electors to declare for a middle issue as between Continuance and Prohibition as provided by section 74 of the Licensing Amendment Act, 1918, shall be rigorously safeguarded and maintained."