LICENSING ISSUE

Hokitika Guardian, 5 September 1925, Page 1

LICENSING ISSUE

alliance: deputation. YYKLLIXOTON. Sept. A deputation from the New Zealand Alliance waited on the Prime .Minister to-day to urge their views on prohibition. The president, Mr John L Royds, said the views and actions of. the Alliance had been misrepresented to Mr Coates by tue Licensing Reform Association. He combated the contention that acrniuodalion could not profitably he provided in hotels without liceii.-c. and claimed that traders in liquor were the only people who had .approached the I inviunmont asking for : legislative protection to continue doing a thing which is made illegal by the law of the country. lie also quoted siatemeiijj; to show that hotel proprietor- iu America were more pleased with prohibition than without. and mere hotels were being built. Mr W. D. Hunt dealt with the economic effect- of prohibition, and contended that if ihe corporate control proposal was pul through the liquor trade would get. away with the greatest financial steal ever th-night of iu New Zealand. Archdeacon M'MTirray of Auckland, loolc ut> flic question from tin- Cliiu'eb point of view, and argued that cnrpnralc cunt ml did nol represent Hie general views of the churches of the Anglican Synod. Ollier speakers were Mc-sr: 'A. IL Tuck" (Auckland). L. AC Isilt (Christchurch). ami Rev. 11. I ind-aty (Inglewood.) In replying. Mr Coates -'■'•id: ••'There ceiiaiuly ha- I "u no -h «rtago of ret-re-eut ai ions in regard (■• what legislation each std" Honk's inecessary litis session •■ I parliant'O'l. | if link I have had four or live interviews fur or against. Home .1 tit • sneakers have tome ft Hi" Anglican Church, and I have li-i.umd to views dilf, .rent from Hi--e that have been cxprcs-vtl to-da.v. I hope ii is not a case of a huii-e divided mraio.-t itself not being able jo stand. I believe quite a lot of recreation is to he got out of Inutility argument hv 1,,,111 -ides. Perhaps clergyman will gel: some ret real ion from sue!) argument in their quieter ninmeiil -. I take ii | am not calh-d on lo expre my opinion as to inv belief. I am ealb'd on to -av whether ih- re w il l ho h'g'Slalion ittlrodmed t hi- year, or when ii will I a be rodueeil. Well I eau'i -peak a- to what will lake I'kf-e alter tile (Teel ion. That is a mailer for the elet tor-. I must -av iT;;i g-aker-liave impressed me. with tin-: Tin! volt at'" iu favour o! eon-ider: n :•; all quo-: ions of licensin'/ legi-l.nl i-m apart run the qla i ion of pmhil.i ton or ,-otil inltanee. 'hint makes it lait l.v casv for memher- ~f Pariiainetit lo tackle tlm position of improving tinIjiacle. I will allow momher- to deal with the question noon its merits. We are in ibis position, however, that 1 am unable to I • ! I you definitely whether a Piiil will he ini reduced this year. I am inclined (•• think the session is becoming too far advanced to con-ider it AV.it have made it very (Tear that you propose to take a very active part at the palls. ai:d ii may soil your purpose licit,-r t" have ihe !..(uh fii ~f select ing your candidates. I am not going to -nggesi what party yen should vote for. That i- a matter entirely for yourselves. Kvery one ill New Zealand has tin- right. and

-1, '0i1. 1 Ii a v*. tie- right- to select who -I'lUll'l prove the be-1 I think the matter inn-l stand t 'bway. Cabinet will consider the whole • ( iie:d toil Wo have lienril every side. ('si l linet will consider it and make a -If trim 111 within the eour-e of a few days as to whether there will be legislation this -e—ion or not. If the I iovernment come- hack again thou legislation will he submit led to Parliament for the purpose of allowing the representatives of the people to say iu wb.it do.-etiou tlcy •'■■quire licensing

icfi in I'Tiiu !n-r Hutu t Iml 1 am unable to di-rii-x I lie posit ion.” In eoticltisioii. Mr Coajes thanked the members of t lie deputation for the verv com i-e manner in which they it. -I pres their ea-e.