The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. MONDAY, DECEMBER 5, 1927. DISOWNED.

Hokitika Guardian, 5 December 1927, Page 2

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. MONDAY, DECEMBER 5, 1927. DISOWNED.

The experiences of the Licensing Bill in Parliament this year might supply a story good enough lor comic opera. It was an unwanted production, and its creator had to explain to the House that it was quite a little thing of his own, and the Government had no responsibility for the measure. I hen, when it had made some progress in the House, in the course of which it was liadly mutilated, its sponsor disowned it, and a foster father took it in charge and saw it passed on safely to another place. In tin* second Chamber the fledgling fared no better. - Once again it was s i hacked about that even its foster parent would not own it, and a relation akin to a step father took it in hand with apologies for so doing. In the process the child

was “reformed” to something of its original shape and .sent hack for adoption by its first parents. The remark, able treatment of the Bill suggests at once the mixed feelings of the people on the licensing question. It seems to he a fair statement to make that its treatment by the House was not according to the beliefs of members, hut rather to conform to promises obtained from them in an unguarded moment when on the hustings. When it comes to voting for liquor in Bellamy's there is nothing to suggest the approach of prohibition in the figures returned. The Upper House was more honest "and consistent in its actions, and so saved the House from itself. The “saving” may be guaged by a study of the Prime Minister's statement where he east upon the House the responsibility of dealing further with the hill on the lines of the original production. However, on crucial [mints of the bill there

was much discussion, and on the whole it is regrettable that as a means to settle the vexed question, Mr Coates general line of compromise between the two main contending parties had not been accepted. The elimination of the third issue was a striking concession to the cause of prohibition, just as the six year tenure was to the other .side. The proposed ratio required to carry prohibition was altered to no to 4d" from the old ratio of 60 to 40. "While the respective sides were thankful for what it had received, it objected very furiously to what was given to the other side and this led to the breaking clown of the well intentioned compromise. There is no doubt Mr Coates was sound on the majority vote ns a means for stability of action. There are many legal processes in force hv which a definite majority is necessary to ensure success, and looking to the moral side of the question, and regarding the experience of the United States ns a guide, it is certainly necessary to have a sound public opinion to give the necessary moral support to the law of the

land. Equally so with the tenure, if there is to be practical reform in regard to accommodation there must be a better tenure, where inroo ovnonse is involved in building or rebuilding premises, three years’ security is' not sufficient to justify the outlay. J n . fliYi'dufj.l3 jyiJJ bq shy feuturp, find

lenders diffident about lending largo sums of money with only a guarantee of three years' existence for the .trade. On the financial side even six years is little enough excepting, perhaps in

large centres where a prolific trade is assured. For small centres where good accommodation is no less essential, six years is not enough time in which to recoup a fair measure of the large outlay which would be necessary to equip a modern hotel in keeping with the requirements of the day. Tot >n Parliament a desperate set was made against an extension of tenure, while in another part of the measure, improved accommodation was being asked for. The third issue of State Control, while it lias taken hold in many of the larger centres, is not a live question, though naturally the voles cast for it are a factor in the [Milling. Yet is is a tact that in some countries where State control of lho liquor traffic is in being it is giving satisfactory results. Whether the same success would he ensured here is another matter, I ecause in many respects the circumstances are very different. Still those who have voted State control, are at least anxious for some change, though not favoring total abolition. The allocation of licenses for hotels, and accommodation houses is not equitable in the Dominion, because of the changing conditions over the years, and this aspect is worthy of some attention. It would appear to succeed in handling the subject, there must he some pieee meal attempt, so as not to overload the Dill with subjects about which opinion is too strongly divided.