LICENSING BILL

Hokitika Guardian, 24 February 1928, Page 1

LICENSING BILL

" INTOLERABLE POSITION.” -METHODISTS FAVOUR RKIXTR ODU CTION. CHRISTCHURCH, Feb. 22. Tbe Methodist Conference yesterday decided to set up a committee to go again into the question of a reintroduction ol a favourable Licensing Bill at the next session of Parliament. A clause in the report on the subject was as follows, the report being from the Temperance Committee:— “ Although the Licensing Bill as adopted by the House of Representatives was killed through amendments adopted, and insisted upon by the Legislative Council, the carrying of the three main issues by such a substantial vote in the Lower House represents a great moral victory. We. strongly support the New Zealand Alliance in pressing for the re-intre-duction of a favourable Licensing Bill next session.” Mr J. Chrvstall contended that the position was intolerable. ..'While the Methodist Church represented nearly 320.000 people in New Zealand, their object was defeated by a small number of men in the Legislative Council. A suggestion that the conference send on a resolution proposing the abolition of the Legislative Council was not carried, but caused a good deal of laughter among members of the conference. A North Island member of the conference pointed out that the third largest body in the Dominion was the AletlioTlist Church and yet its requests were not taken notice of. whereas re solutions from mere handfuls of people were taken notice of by the Government. The' Hon. Air Isitt, AI.L.C.: Unless we can get Parliament -to sit for longer periods we shall go on witli the triennial term until the cows come home ! It was then. decided to set up the committee as stated.