DEPUTATIONS.

Feilding Star, Volume XVII, Issue 5, 5 July 1895, Page 3

DEPUTATIONS.

WELLINGTON, dUiy -±. The Premier was interviewed this afternoon by a large deputation from the Temperance Convention, who wished to know what action the Government intended to take in respect to the Licensing Bill approved of by the Convention and introduced into the House by Mr McNab. The Bill provided that the people should have full control of the liquor traffic. The Premier, in reply, said the Government could not take up Mr McNab's Bill. They would bring down a short amending Bill of their own, which would provide for the abolition of the one-half majority required to make the poll valid. This temperance question was inseparable from our general politics, and he thought voted for local and colonial option should be taken on the same day as the parliamentary election. That would be provided for in the Government Bill, in fact up to clause 19 the Bill of this year would be the same as that of last year. The Government would adhere to a three-fifths majority on the ground that a reform that was to stand must have more than a bare majority. However, they would hold to tiio provision that three-fifths majority be required to reyerse the prohibition vote. The Government could not undertake to give Bpecial facilities for the passage of Mr McNab's Temperance Bill.