WELLINGTON TOPICS

Hokitika Guardian, 16 November 1925, Page 4

WELLINGTON TOPICS

LICENSING AND PARLIAMENT.

WHAT THE FUTURE HOLDS

(Spccial to “ Guardian.”)

WELLINGTON, November 12

The stories put about on the eve of the general election concerning the Prime Minister’s attitude towards the licensing question probably lose nothing in the re-telling. It is being persistently stated, however,' that Mr Coates is definitely pledged to introduce legislation during the life of the Parliament just elected to extend the inter-

val between the licensing polls from three years to five and to provide four years grace for the “Trade” in the event of Prohibition being carried. The passage of such legislation would give the publican practically a ten year tenure, and, according to its advocates, would enable him to offer much better entertainment and accommodation to the public than he is supplying at the present time. Whether or not this would be the case is an arguable question, but the latest testimony from the United States does not suggest that the character and quality of "hotels there have deteriorated in consequence of the imposition of ‘ prohibition” any more than they did through the threat of its introduction. This being the case it docs not seem necessary to assume precipitately that an extension of the Trade’s immunity from review by public opinion is absolutely necessary to ensure its members observing their contract with the State. But this is by the way. THE CASE OE WELLINGTON NORTH.

That some very potent influence was

t work (luring the concluding days of

’.lie election lampaign to draw doubting voters into the Reform camp was made particularly plain in the Wellington North constituency, where Sir John Luke, the sitting member, was

sorely beset by two very vigorous opponents in the shape of a Labour candidate. who bad polled particularly well at the election of 1D22. and a Liberal supporter of -Mr Coates, who quicklv proved himsolt the best platform sneaker in the contest. A torlniglit or so before the polling Sir John's position appeared to he very parlous indeed, but a remarkable change came over bis prospects when the worthy knight announced through the newspapers tuat his views on the licensing question bad been misunderstood. that lie . really was not a prohibitionist, and that he was in lavour of quinquennial licensing polls and of

the concession of four years of grace to the Trade in the event ol Prohibition ever being carried. This was the

policy the Prime Minister himself bad suggested, rather than propounded, during its northern tour, and its acceptance by Sir John apparently was the signal for its endorsement by the party. At any rate the “Trade” swung in behind Sir John, another large sectional vote billowed suit and Wellington North was saved for Reform. THE OTHER SIDE. Sir John Luke declares to-day that l e changed bis mind in regard to Prohibition years ago and that there was nothing inconsistent in his accepting his party’s policy on the question without demur, lie still thinks the liquor trafife, “ in its present form ” a grave menace to the well-being of the community and he wotdd join with au\ party in legislating tor reforms; but ho believes that constantly wrangling over the matter at the polls will only aggravate the evil. It was impossible to keep licensing away from polities, and it was doubtful it separating the licensing poll from the general election poll would help the situation; hut 11)01 e seemed to he a growing feeling in favor of State Control and probably if this issue were better understood by the elections it would receive a much |r-rr sliujx* ct . A l»r;'inniiij' ]>!• It; :nk' 1»v the CoVI'ITIIIIUMt defining clearly how it would proceed if State Control were voted by a maj-

oritv of ilio electors. At present it looks as if the authorities had given never a thought to such a contingency. This suggestion undoubtedly is a good one. As things stand the carrying of. State Control would mean two or three years of chaos. UNOFFICIAL PROHIBITION.

An unofficial siipporler of Prohibition— (hat is nil elector who votes no-iici-ie-e without regard to any paiticiir !nr organisation—protests strongly against the proposal to extend the leriii between the licensing polls from three years to live. This, lie insists, would lie a flagrant reversal of the Liberal policy to which Mr Coates professes to subscribe, and would provide the Reformers with an excuse for substituting quinquennial for triennial Parliaments. This, he adds, on relloelinii, probably is the purpose the Prime Minister has in mind, lie confessed during the election campaign that his own preference was for “ live-year Parliaments and with the big majority he has secured in the House he might find little difficulty in registering ibis retrograde step tin the Statute Book. This autliortiy has " no doubt; in the world ” that the Trade ” is expecting big things from the present Gov-ernment-—niueh bigger things than Mr .Massey ever could have conceded—and that ii will leave no stone unturned Jo obtain them. Every chance, lie thinks, of making State Control anything but a hindrance to no-license has gone. Li its present form, he reiterates, the third issue is the most effective bulwark of tin- trade.