LICENSING BILL

Hokitika Guardian, 9 December 1927, Page 4

LICENSING BILL

REFORM PARTY SPLIT? AUCKLAND. Dec. 7

01' tlic time Auckland members o! the Reform Party who supported the Licensing Hill in its original form .Messrs \'. 11. I’otlcr, A. Harris, and E. I). .Mel.enuan, only -Mr Potter was prepared to make a statement on the views expressed by .Air T. D. Burnett, member for Temuka. Air Burnett bad declared the intention of the Prohibition section of the Reform Party to assert itself at the next (aliens, boldine that by the treatment accorded the Hill a majority of the popular Chamber bad been flouted, lie stated, too. that be must seriously consider bis position in regard to the Party. “ I cordially endorse every word of Air Burnett's manifesto,” said Air Potter. He said be was in complete agreement with Air Burnett’s view that the measure should not be “ forgotten ” and shared the determination of the member for Temuka to compel tile Government to accede to the will of 21 private members and six Cabinet .Ministers out of the Reform Party membership of 50.

•'ln the event of the measure not being permitted to come down at the beginning of next session and allowed to pass through all its stages without interference there will, in my opinion, inevitably be a split among a large percentage of Reform members.” said Air Potter. “ Air Coates’s attitude I regard as that of one dictating his will and opinions against those of the majority of his Party.” Air Harris, when approached, said that “ not being conversant with the inner councils of his Party he was reluctant to express an oninion.” EXTRACTION OF PLEDGES. CONDEMNED. WELLINGTON. Dec. 7. The Dominion Executive of the New Zealand Licensing Reform Association to-day expressed disappointment at the manner in which licensing legislation had been approached by the Legislature, the failure, in the Association’s opinion, being due to the Prohibition party in extracting from candidates at last general election hard and fast pledges and so preventing a large number of members front exercising their judgment in the interests of the Dominion as a whole. While unable to agree with the original provisions of the Bill the Association placed on record its appreciation of the Prime Alinister’s desire to <■* feet measures of real reform and expressed admiration of Air Coates’s strong stand to save the Dominion from prohibition on a bare majority on a catch vote. The association hopes political parties will not permit official candidates to pledge themselves to outside organisations on matters not contained in their own party platforms. It is gratified at the retention of the third is sue.