The Direct Veto Question

Feilding Star, Volume XV, Issue 10, 12 July 1893, Page 2

The Direct Veto Question

DEPUTATION OF PUBLICANS TO THE PREMIER. (PEB PREBB ASSOCIATION.) Wkllikoton, This Day. The Premier was interviewed last night by a deputation representing the brewers and licensed victuallers in the colony, on the subject of the Direct Veto Bill. They pointed out that if the measure passed into law it would mean throwing ont of employment a large proportion of the population of the colony, as the liquor interest, with those dependant upon it, being about one in thirteen of the whole population. The loss of license fees would also necessitate the addition of Is in the £ in all local rates, and the deputation reminded the Premier that one«tenth of the revenue of the country was derived from the liquor trade. As to the prohibition movement, they argued that the prohibition party appeared strong simply because those of opposito views had not taken any steps in the matter. On the question of " tied " houses, they pointed out many misstatements had been made, and the fact of the matter was that the brewer advanced money to a publican, who wax bound to take Colonial beer from his brewery, but in all other respects was perfectly free. They agreed with the principle of the Bill : to prevent (he sale of intoxicating liquor to children ; bnt they argued some of tho penalties were far too heavy. In reply, Mr Seddon promised to lay the views of the deputa* tion before his colleagues. With regard to the Direct Veto Bill, he thought it would be better if some arrangements could be come to between the two parties instead of going to the country, although he had every confidence in the judgment of constituencies. He admitted the deputation put a different complexion on the question of " tied " houses, and as they j stated the question it was not at all unfair.