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Hokitika Guardian, 29 April 1925, Page 2

Signs of coming events by casting their shadow before i- evidenced by the reference Mur Wellington correspondent made this weak to the activities of the parties pro and con on the liquor question. It was hoped that this disturbing issue of the general political question might have been laid at .rest last sesion by legislation putting oil' the appeals to the people ti a more distant period—in other words, granting an extension e-f the licensing tenure. ’lbis was not so. The Government was satislied to refer to a Parliamentary Committee certain aspects of the question on which it wees apparent from the outset, the Committee could not agree. By that means the Government gained time, or at least put oft the duty of dealing with the issues for the time being. It is very doubtful now if any legislation will lie promoted cm the subject for the coming session. It is the final session of the present Parliament. and it is not the custom with the House so evenly divided as the present, to bring forward contentious matters. There are other circumstances likely to obtrude which will also affect the possibility of an active policy bv the Government. Therefore, the issue on the liquor question will go before the people at the polls on the usual lines. Two pulls have now been held on the three issue ballot-paper with the following results : unit 1022 Xatic.nul Continuance 211.del 282.(tic State Purchase A' Control : 12.201 d 0.127 National Piv.hihii ion 27(1.200 300,791 booking to these figures, the substantial iiiern.se in the anti-prohibition vote, suggests a favorable reception of the issues again for license. In 191!) there

were 82(12 majority votes end against prohibition, and in 1922, the 1 national vote, against prohibition had increased its majority to 17,C0Y votes. M hnt has happened since should rather confirm that decision, for we are still reading of Canadian territory going hack to license, and of the apparently hopeless task of the I'nited Stales to eulorce prohibition despite the cor minus power of the Stab 1 being organised to do so. These failures suggest that it New Zealand were to go dry there would he a large' futile expenditure to enforce it. and the evils which would creep in (as in Acumen) would he a blow to the

national life. It seems to he a case of leaving well alone, and to see that while license is granted, il is not abused. but so regulated as to (recent evil arising. The trallic may well be strict! v organised, and on those lines its maintenance will continue to find favor with the majority n! the voters.

In regard to the licensing question it is to lie regretted that Parliament has not had the 1 courage to deoil with the' issues pul before it. comprehensively. Parliamentary mniniitlecs sit year after year without advancing llf matter. The Government has been content to pigeon-hole the' reports, and mat Id's remain in abeyance inch finitely. Now that New Zealand promises to {'ODH' into Its own ;is ;i tourist renin’ for Americo ami t!;o w'lltl ;;t Isirjir. il is essential that licenses should he given it longer tenure. To cater adequately for the class ol trallic to he encouraged, and to retain that trallic -casun afi season, il is iiecc saiy that hotel aceomniodat ion all through the Dominion I .' improved, as also enlarged. Hill with a re.-triclcd tenure, and the uncertainty ei the polls, those with capital will net invest jn a precarious business. I ulcss assured cf a lair tenure, il would m l pay I" build and equip large bustclries. Some security in regard to this matter is necessary if I lie public are to expect an improved standard ol hotel accommodation. It seems hopeless to expect any action on this subject during: the coming session, hut ii is to h,* hoped the new Parliament will he more courageous when Ihe matter inevitably c rops up later on.