The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is in corporated the West Coast Times.) WEDNESDAY, MAY 14th. 1924.

Hokitika Guardian, 14 May 1924, Page 2

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is in corporated the West Coast Times.) WEDNESDAY, MAY 14th. 1924.

licensing legisi.ation. Cominu events are easting their shadow before. It is understood there is to be licensing legislation at the forthcoming session, so the parties are organising to impress the Government in tlio hope that som<‘ eifoct may he made on tlio ••lass of legislation to he introduced. No doubt each side will ask for a good deal in the hop. that some portion may he granted, and .so give a stepping stone |to something greater. Last week the | New Zealand Alliance, through u representative deputation, paid its respects to the Prime Minister, who indicated the opposing sole v. a ; to see him also. So. both "ill have a lan field and no favor. This is evident from the fact that Mr Massey was not at. all communicative as to probable legislation. He kept his lies sealed on vital aspects, except that he ventured his own opinion on the advisability of keeping the licensing and parliamentary poJJs apart, .lust why he was not equally frank on other assets is ex'dniued of course by the fact that he N a politician and must needs not say 100 much at this stage. Then* must he always an eye on the future for in that quarter tlio next election is looming already. The Alliance ropreseiilnli\o: were fair enough to offer one important concession—namely that if prohibition (as it is called' were carried at the polls, a further opportunity might he afforded to take a further vote in due season. This helps to remove tl" rather one-sided aspect of the prohibition poll at present—that once it is carried nationally, there is not the opportunity to review the position at- the polls again unless fresh legislation he passed. The Alliance asked for a clean roll. This is afforded always to the best advantage. There are often reports about roll stuffing, hut the absence <■ prosecutions on that seoTe seems to suggest the complaint is more imaginary than real. We may take it that the roll will he a,s clean ns tlio circumstances permit. Electors themselves are to blame very often for remissness in attending to applications for enrolment—and that despite the efforts of the Government and of other organisations endeavoring to enrol the people. Tt can he well understood the liolding of the two polls apart will he much favored hv parliamentary candidates. There is the hope, too, in many quarters that the licensing poll will not happen as frequently in the future as in the past. This has been almost promisee! in the past, and seems now to he implied by Mr Massey's latest pronouncement. Mr Massey was frank enough to admit he was responsible for the permanent enactment of six o’clock closing. That was introduced as a war measure originally, and then suddenly converted into the permanent law of the land. As to the extension of tenure that seems to he overdue if the country is to he catered for adequately in the matter of hotel accommodation. The population is growing, and more people are travelling. In far too many of the centres tlio least holiday attraction. and hotel accommodation is at a premium. The hotels are not keeping up with the needs of the times for the plain reason that the limited tenure afforded by the three years only between the polls, is not sufficient to warrant a large outlay in the way of extension of accommodation. Tin's proposal will doubtless lie a vital part of the bill to tome lefoie Parliament, and if Government has the courage to bring forward :«• progressive measure there is every reason in believe the House will pass the bill. Licensing legislation in reganl to better tenure is certainly needed, ntul the Government '"ill Ik' shirking its duty, implied ami obvious, if it neglects to enact it.