LICENSING LAWS.

Hokitika Guardian, 19 November 1921, Page 2

LICENSING LAWS.

THE PREMIER’S PROMISE. OIT.STIoN OF A COMMITTEE. SPECIAI. TO GUARDIAN. WELLINGTON, Nov. 19 Last year the Prime -Minister undertook to" set up a committee 'of the House during the present session for consideration of the licensing lans. He said it was time for that. He realised that the licensing laws required amendment and that the Government would have to undertake the task in the event of .prohibition not being Carried at next licensing poll. Mr McCallum Wairau) mentioned this matter in the House of Representatives to-day. He said the people of the Dominion were suffering an enormous amount of inconvenience at present, owing to the lack of accommodation for travellers in all parts of the country, and the remedy seemed to de-IH-nd upon an amendment of the beensing laws. The shortage was going from had to worse. The Prime Minister said he had promised that a committee would he set up to consider licensing matters. He had not forgotten his promise, and intended to keep it. He was fully aware that there was plenty of room for improvement ill the licensing laws of the Dominion. (Hear, hear). Members could have a committee this session if they desired it, but they had busy weeks ahead of them. He did not think that there would be any licensing legislation this session. The House had more business than it could possibly complete within a reasonable time, without taking up a Licensing Bill this year. Mr Lysnar (Gisborne) —-Will you -nke it lip next session. Mr Massey No; I want the Committoe set up. I promised to set up the Committee during this session and I am prepared to keep my promise. The Prime Minister added that he would like the member for Wairau, member [or Gisborne and other members specially concerned, to consult together.' He would be glad to meet their wishes this session or next session. Al,. Witty (Rieearton) —Mill you make it a Recess Committee? M r Massey—No. I don’t like Recess Committees. Later in the afternoon Air lsitt (Christchurch North) asked what would he the constitution of. the proposed Committee. Would it he a one-sided 1 tody. The Racing Commission had consisted entirely of racing men and . alien he had tried to represent the moral side of the gambling question to the Commission, lie had boon told that this was outside the order of reference. Mr Massey—lt will lie mv business to see that the Committee when set up, will he thoroughly representative of the House. Air Glenn (RangitikeiV rose to protest against the suggestion that the Racing Commission had been oue-. sided. , The Prime Minister said that lie thought the members of the Commission had the confidence of the community. It would have been useless to place upon the Commission men who knew nothing about racing. The Commission had done its work thoionghlj and made a good report. I believe f rom what 1 have heard during the last few days that the House has not heard the last of the report of the Racing Commission. He added—“l am not saying that the Government will introduce any more racing legislation this session, because it will not, but I lieve the report will lie useful in other directions*”