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Hokitika Guardian, 14 May 1924, Page 2

A special plea by the Alliance deputation was for the two issue ballot paper. That would mean the elimination of the State control issue, and leave the question plainly to license or no--1 ice use. Tin's change if pressed will involve much controversy. Many moderates now vote State control, because they lielieve there would he more efficient control in the sale of liquors, and the control of the houses. There should, of course, then lie no sale after hours involving as at present so much attempted regulation. State control in itself if carried, would make for the better administration of the licensing law, and on that account it is difficult to see why Alliance members are opposed so strongly to the proposal. The majority of the people tip to the present, ignore the State control issue, and confine their attention to the two main issues—license or no license. But no-lieetise is fnr too drastic a decision, and wo see in the United States what is happening. Almost daily there nro references in the cabled news of the scandals going on and the general flouting of the law. Matters are managed much better in the adjoining territory

of Canada whore there is a form of control somewhat akin to that proposed, in New Zealand. But here we have examples of both license and no-licenso already, and although there aro districts where no license has been in vogue for many years local opinion is divided very much on the net value of the experience. Tt is a fact ncvertho less than the law is often broken, and that in many instances it is a case of being no license only in name. The imports of liquor into the districts under sanction is very large indeed, so that there is a very considerable section of all the communities who circumvent the prohibition—even if they have to outlay a fair sum of money by buying liquor in quantity, and go to some trouble and inconvenience in importing it legally for consumption. It is untolions of course that illicit sides go forward all the time. For instance as the Oamaru ‘ .Mail” reported the other clay, a presiding Magistrate remarked that the phrase: “Do you know anything?” appeal'd to lie a password in Oamaru for the procuring of liquor! And no doubt the Magistrate was not far out. Just as the law is flouted in America so it would bo here—and the publi* would in the end receive the worst of the deal ljocau.se of the quality of m>Called liquor which would be offered for consumption. In this country the public: has had a good deal of experience. ami the referendum as now in force seems to bo the best means for an expression of democratic feeling, and it might well remain in its present form.

The Gorman elections have given a majority in favour of the Kxperts Committee's report as to the best method of solving the reparations problem; but it remains to be seen whether the new Government will he able to command tt sufficient majority to carry the legislation necessary for putting into effect the committee’s plans. Tt is anticipated in Berlin that the new Government will he a. reversion to the old big coalition, comprising the Socialists. Bemocratie. Centre am! German Peoples’ parties, which, with about 231 suppmteis. will lie opposed by about 216 German Nationals. Communists, Extreme Nationals, and the minor parties. two-thirds majority, however, is requited for the change in the C'or slitutiou that will be involved by the acceptance of the Kxperts Committee's report ; and to secure such a majority the Government will need the support of the German Nationals, who are oppose! to the exports’ plans. Should they remain irreconcilable. There would be no chance of the Beiehstng adopting the report, and evil days would again fall on Germany, states a Berlin message;'but it is doubtful whether the German Nationals will persist in their opposition to the report. In London, til tiny rate, the responsible opinion is that the result of the German elections will not materially a fleet the experts’ report. It is expected that the Nationalists will support the ne.es. sttrv legislation for carrying it into effort