Untitled

Hokitika Guardian, 26 August 1926, Page 2

A Licensing Bill at last! For several vears now the Government in power has toyed with the question. Reports and commissions, petitions and committee investigations, have been used as stopgaps. That course of action was playing for political safety. The House was Bo evenly divided in supporters, that the late Prime Minister showed his discretion rather than his valor, in putting off a real struggle on the many points with regard to which opinion is so much divided. The Ministerial position in the House is very much different nowadays, and the Govern 1 - ment has screwed its courage to sticking point and introduced a Bill. The measure, however, from all accounts,is not likely to be passed into law this session. Opinions are still very much divided on many points, and there will ho omissions from the measure, for which there is sure to he elamourings. Both the Prohibition and Trade Parties have been watching the position very closely, and Mr Contes lias had much advice from both sides, hut if lie would only follow a middle course for the benefit of the people as a whole, it would he more satisfactory. The fact that he lias tried to please both sides as far as lie could without directly antagonising the other, will account in the end for the withdrawal of the Bill this session. But after an expression of opinion in the House, and gauging the feeling throughout the country, it is to he hoped the Government will next session bring down a measure which they are prepared tc hack up and put through. It is high time there was some stability about the licensing trade. Over and over again the people have, supported it at the polls. Such being the case, it is for the Government to regulate t'>conduct of the trade in a reasoiQihle way for the public advantage. There is so much involved in the maintenance of a dean, sound, useful Trade, that a fixed tenure to justify proper building and equipment should he assured. In that way the public will he served. Regarding the present measure as something of a feeler, it is •perhaps not necessary just now to discuss its provisions in any detail. When fuller particulars are available sonic further reference can he made to the subject. As the matter stands now, with the Prime Minister anxious to get away next week for England, the fate of the Bill for this session at least appears to he sealed, so for the present further consideration of the proposals are not a matter of immediate urgency.