A POINT OF LAW

Grey River Argus, 25 April 1911, Page 1

A POINT OF LAW

HOME-MADE LIQUOR. WILL IT BE PROHIBITED BY NATIONAL PROHIBITION. CHRISTCHUROH, April 22. The Rev. E. Walker, a prominent member of the No-license Party, who was in Christchurch yesterday, has been investigating a somewhat fine point of law. At present it is quite lawful for any person to make home-made fermented beverages for home consumption, but "not for sale. The question is whether, under absolute prohibition provided for by the New Licensing Act, a person will still be able to make' liquor for home consumption. The Act states that under prohibition there must be no manufacture of liquor. The inference is 1 "that liquor must not be made in any way. Mr Walker after going into the subject, is convinced that, if the subject is brought before the Courts, the word "manufacture" will be taken to mean "make for sale." In that case national prohibition will not interfere with, present practices in regard to home-made fermented beverages. "The house- wife who makes scones, tarts and other delicacies for the family," is Mr Walker's contention, "does not style herself a manufacturer, but as soon as she does the same' kind of work on a large scale, for gain she becomes a manufacturer of the goods." As another illustration he says: "I may make a wheelbarrow; for myself, but I am- not a manufacturer ; but, like the housewife, and her cookery, a's soon as I make wheelbarrows in lage numbers and sell them, I become a manufacturer." ; He - has • conferred with two influential members of the House '-'of Representatives, both of "whom are supporters of the no-license movement, and both of them agree with. him. He adds that. ; . if- the -.contention Avas correct it completely undermines statements in regard to compelling people to be teetotallers and interfering with their liberty, .as set out in Professor Salmond's pamphlet. ;