THE LICENSING QUESTION

Hokitika Guardian, 30 July 1927, Page 2

THE LICENSING QUESTION

DEPUTATION TO PRJAIE MINISTER. WELLINGTON. July 28. A large deputation, representing the Licensing Reform Association, the Aso.sciated Clubs of New Zealand, the wholesale and licensed trade, and the Aloderate League, waited on the Prime Minister to protest against the attitude cl the New Zealand Alliance regarding the middle issue on the ballotpaper and to advocate methods of corporate control. The Prime Alinister s reply indicated that the Licensing Bill would come down this session, anti he Ictt to a lice vote of the House. Beyond this his reply was noneonimiftal.

The sneakers for the deputation were the Veil. Archdeacon Williams, Dominion president, of the New Zealand Licensing Reform Association, the Rev. Gordon Bell, til Auckland Air AI. A. Cart' for the Associated -Clubs and AD* A. K. Duncan (Christchurch) for the wholesale trade.

Air D. AI. Findlay spoke on behalf of the Aloderate League. Air Contes sa id that the question was one he found it difficult to discuss in anything like an open manner with a deputation. A Licensing Bill was being drafted bur he did not think for one moment that the Bill would satisfy everyone. However a promise had been given, and the Government would give Parliament an opportunity of expressing its opinion in detail concerning licensing legislation. The Bill would be open to amendment and would not he a party measure. The liquor question was not a party hut a social question. He thought it was the general wish of the country that it should not he a political question. It was hoped by the time the Bill had received the careful consideration of Parliament that an Act would emerge which would, at least, provide a possible improvement in administration. He .also hoped that the liberty of the people to express their opinions on this important question would be retained.

“The growth of the party which supports State Control is somewhat disappointing when you look hack over the years,’’ said the Prime Minister. “AVhile the reverend gentleman put hfs case well, he will find some difficulty in substantiating a very strong case.”

Archdeacon AVillinms said that the middle issue had increased by 57 per cent, between the last two polls.

All Coates concluded by saying that the deputation’s representations would have very careful considerations, and if any jiortion of its proposals could lie considered, this would he revealed in the Bill. Otherwise any member of Parliament could move an amendment on tlie lines of what tlie deputation suggested.