The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times TUESDAY, AUGUST 11, 1925. THE LICENSING ISSUE.

Hokitika Guardian, 11 August 1925, Page 2

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times TUESDAY, AUGUST 11, 1925. THE LICENSING ISSUE.

Thk Prime Minister received an inllucntial deputation on the licensing question last week, hut his reply was as unsatisfactory as the usual reply from the head of the Government. Il is plain, too, that Mr Coates has a clear grasp of the question, but he is without the courage to do what is obviously necessary, if the requirements which he points out are needed, are to he brought about. .Mr Coates, for in-

stance, said: “There is no doubt in my mind that while the factions are squabbling about whether they will have prohibition or liquor, the public is suffering.” Though this is not a fair statement of the position, yet if it were, and the public was in the opinion of the Prime Minister suffering, surely it is the duty of Mr Coates as’ the head of the Government to relieve the public from .suffering. Hut he decline* to do so. Yet on other occasions lie told the country he is there to carry out the late Prime Minister’s policy! It is a fact as Mr Coates knows that the late Prime Minister promised to bring down a bill, nun his guidance had two special committees sitting on the question. Those reports are available for the successors of Mr Massey, hut Mr Coates as the leader of the Government, fails to take up the work where Mr Massey's unfortunate demise left it. Going hack to what Mr Coates said at the outset, his remark that two factions were squabbling over the liquor question—it need only he mentioned that whatever squabbling is taking place is due to the negative attitude of the Govern-

meat. If the Government did its duty there would lie no room or occasion for squabbling, for on proper lines the '•hole issue would be settled by the people’s vote. The inaction of the Government causes the two parties involved in the issue to keep up an unnecessarily prolonged fight because the Government lacks the courage to deal boldly with the question. Mr Coates talked to the deputation even in detail what should be done, so that there is not any excuse for his inaction. He recognises that hotel accommodation must be improved, and lie realises why it. is not—the present insecure tenure. Yet recognising all this, and complaining as he does on the condition of affairs, he fails to rise to the occasion and produce a hill in Parliament, which would go some way to overcome difficulties and shortcomings which have been obvious to all who studied the question over a number of years. Mr Contes promises a bill

in the sweet by and by. as liis illustrious predecessor did before liiin. But tiie bill will not be produced till after the next general election and the licensing poll. This may be a tactical move on the part of the Prime -Minister for the benefit of his party followers at the poll. It has that appearance certainly. But it is not statesmanship when he realises the public are suffering meantime, and the opportunity to remedy the position is missed. It is clear with a growing population and the desire to encourage tourists to New Zealand, that the hotel accommodation must he extended. Tourist parties are now large and .Mr Coates has found it is not possible to accommodate them in groups. But In delays the remedy of providing a better tenure as an inducement to the hotel proprietors to provide, more accommodation. The position is so clear and the duty in the matter so obvious—as so simple - that it is surprising in addressing the influential deputation the Prime .Minister had be!ore him, he was not more frank and dropping party interests, stepped out to do what was right and best in the interests of the country. It is leadership of that character the country requires now.