WELLINGTON NOTES.

Hokitika Guardian, 4 December 1918, Page 3

WELLINGTON NOTES.

THE LIQUOR BILL

FINALLY REVISED

(Our Special Correspondent)

WELLINGTON December 2,

Tho Liquor Bill was again before Cabinet on Saturday, undergoing somewhat extensive revision in matters of detail and it is expected to make its first appearance in the House this afternoon . As it now stands it provides for .(1) n to he taken on the simple issue proposed by the Efficiency Board, National Continuance or National Prohibition and compensation to tho extent of four millions and a half in the event of Prohibition being carried, and (2) for the removal of the local option issue, and the substitution of the State Control issue at the next ordinary poll will he National Onntfnunot being carried. In the latter case the issues put to the electors at the or- , dinary poll wil be National Continuance, National Prohibition and National Control. WHAT THE HOUSES MILL DO. ;

Opinions still differ very widely as to what the Houses will do with the Bill That neither the 'Prohibitionists nor the Moderates are confident of securing a majority may be judged from the faev that both parties are straining every nerve and influence to win supporters to their side. The conclusion of the war has deprived the Prohibitionists oi one of their strongest cards so far as the disposition of the electors is concerned. Probably if the question had been, submitted to the country at the time the Germans were pushing towards Paris, National Prohibition would have been carried, but with the Allies position definitely assured, many people are doubting the need for the extreme step. But most of the members of the House aye definitely pledged one way or the other and will not he affected to the same extent by tli altered conditions. IN SANITARY CITIES.

The good people of Auckland are resenting, vey naturally and very properly many disinterested authorities are saying the Hon. G. IV. Russell’s sweeping denunciation of the sanitary condition of their city. Tho Minister of Health, however, stands to his guns and armed with reports from officers of his Department would welcome the commission of enquiry the Aucklanders are do mantling. But if the Commission is set up its investigations will not he.confined to the northern city. In the House last week Mr Russell spoke quite drastically qbout the insanitary condijtion of Auckland. It is doubtful indeed if any of the large cities or many of the provincial towns can afford to throw stones at other centres in this respect. It may he hoped the agitation will lead to a general clean up.

HIGH PRESSURE IN PARI AMENT. Business in the House is being carried on at high pressure and at a speed without parallel in the history of the Chamber. It must be said for Ministers, however, that realising this would be the case in order to allow the party leaders to get away to the Peace Conference they have met members in a spirit of sweet reasonableness throughout the proceedings. Even the Labour members have accepted the inevitable with a good grace, and they though as zealous as ever for the interests of the section of the community they specially represent have done no unnecessary talk and occasioned no unprofitable delay. Whether or not the House will maintain this admirable attitude during the pnssago of the Liquor Bill remains to be seen but Ministers appear to have reason for hoping for the best .