THE NO-LICENSE MOVEMENT.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2256, 30 July 1908, Page 2

THE NO-LICENSE MOVEMENT.

THE BARE MAJORITY ISSUE. THE PREAIIErT REPLIES TO DEPUTATION. [PiiESt Association.] AVELLINGTON, July 29. A deputation from tlie New Zealand Alliance recently waited on tho Premier. Tlie deputation ashed for legislation securing that licensing polls be decided by bare majority. They also wanted Dominion option, breweries to come under the popular vote, abolition of bottle licenses, licensing polls to be taken, whether there is a. Parliamentary contest or not, teaching of temperance in public schools, abolition of licenses to steamers controlled by the Tourist Department, and stricter punishment of sly grog sellers. Sir Joseph AA’ard, in reply, said 'no licensing legislation would be introduced this session for the obvious reason that he was quite certain he could not get it through. Numberless amendments would be ashed for in either directions in event of a Licensing Bill being brought down, and it would be hopeless to try to get it through.. As to the bare majority, lie thought they ought first to be unanimous on the subject. He had already had very strong representation on ‘the subject from people who were on the side of tlie temperance reformers, and yet who were strongly opposed to it. In regard to the request for a Dominion vote be could not express an opinion at tlie moment. It was a very important matter, and it could not come before Parliament in any case this session. Referring to beer depots, ho said something should certainly be done to prevent what had happened in Invercargil. H© was prepared to consider what would bo tho best courso to adopt, but could not say that tlie necessary steps could be taken this session, in . regard to bottle licenses bis own opinion was that Parliament- intended when nohceuse was carried, that bottle licenses should cease to exist.. Anything tlie Government- could do to roniedv •the present condition of things would be done. Temperance teaching ail schools ought- to be carried out, that was all lie could say about it. The provisions regarding a poll of half the voters lie would like to see abolished. It was originally embodied in the Act to ensure a sufficiently strong, vote on wliat was admittedly a very bin and important question. A AVELLINGTON OPINION. (Special to “Times.”) AA ELLINGTON, July 29 Referring to tlie deputation that wilted upon tlie Premier from the A'lha nee Convention, tilie ‘Post” says:—“The main point was the demand lor the power to carry no-license by a bare majority, and as to this, it. is noteworthy that the spokesmen of tlie deputation were not so loud or so insistent as tlie Convention which passed the resolution. Can it bo that the leaders of tlie movement have already begun to realise their blunder in allowing tlie more aggressive spirit- of the party to endeavour to commit, it to a‘political campaign, winch is calculated in direct proportion to its vigor, to handicap tlie temperance cause at. the local option }>oll? The almost apologetic tone in which the subiect was treated yesterday certainly gives color to tins inierence.

MR WITHDRAW (Special to “Times.”) WELLINGTON, July 29. Mi. Laureiison to-day asked leave imme n n, "'l iP iU landing in bk oritv’Jt+y ldl r S fo ? an absolute majVr a -Reusing polls. K - McKenzie asked if tho lion. otber BilL ,0P ° 3Gd to eubstitl,te «»- ative’ aurenson replied in the affirm* }} ‘ .^cKenaio: Very well then, ‘ -if 1 '“ la 'W oppose the application. * ur - ayaurenson then gave notice to move that the present Bill be dischargecl from the Order Paper. the Bill, it may he remarked, is in a had (position on the Order Paper and may not be readied this session!