Hokitika Guardian & Evening Star TUESDAY, OCTOBER 29, 1918. LICENSING REFORM.

Hokitika Guardian, 29 October 1918, Page 2

Hokitika Guardian & Evening Star TUESDAY, OCTOBER 29, 1918. LICENSING REFORM.

The deputation which waited on the Parliamentary leaders at Wellington last week to urge reform in licensing matters on t-lic basis put forward by the National Efficiency Board, men with what must be regarded as a favourable reception.. Although language may bo used often to conceal thoughts, and though the Ministers did not come straight <to the point, they beat so about the question as to indicate certain leanings and a predisposition to have a vexed question settled with and done for. Mr Massey said he was in favour of doing something to put, the licensing issue on a satisfactory footing, and went on to indicate that Cabinet would frame a Bill for Parliament to that end. When this was done and the measure came before members, it would be. given a straight run. Sir Joseph Ward went further in agreeing that the proposal to give compensation to the Trade, simplified the problem for him, and cleared the way, he added, for many public men. Report goes that the majority of the Cabinet supports the proposal in favour of prohibition with compensation ,and it seems safe to hazard the view that the issue to go before the people "'ill be largely on these lines. The alternative for State Control suggested by both the Trade and Labour Party, is an issue which a great number of people desire to see on the ballot paper. The whole question is for the people to determine, and a plain negative or affirmative one the way or the other, as between license or no-license, is not going to end the eontroversey. 'Hie public choice should be on a democratic basis, giving the people freedom of selection without a restriction to a bare issue of yes or no. If the question is put forward on bare lines of this nature, the result which ever way it falls, will not end the matter so far as public feeling is concerned. The majority either way is not likely to be substantial enough to satisfy public opinion that an equitable decision has been arrived at.. To ensure a- decisive decision, on such a niattci as this, there is a good deal to be said in favour of legislating for a. preponderating majority note in preference to submitting to a bare majority. The proposal emanating from the National 'Efficiency Board is for a bare majority 1 to rule and this concession has induced probably, .the Prohibition party to accept, the compensation clause in order to hasten what they hope will he a favourable vote. The justice of compensation to the Trade in the cAont of prohibition lias been for long a demand by many moderates, and as indicated by Sir Joseph Ward, its appearance on tiie ballot paper simplifies the problem. The matter has now to be considered by Cabinet and a measure framed for the consideration of the House. Parliament has, therefore, the task of framing the form of ballot paper to go before the people. Oa the lace of it, if would appear that the National Efficiency Board’s proposal will carry the greatest weight with members and it will be on those lilies the people will require to consider the matter. The poll is not likely to take place this year, hut it may do so in the early months of next year. The licensing poll will, probably, be separated from the general election poll which will be due, also, next year, and so give a clearer course for public feeling without all the cross currents of party politics. It would be the fairer wav to determine the issue, though hero again there might he the objection that, the indifferent would not poll as they would he induced to do at a general election.