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Hokitika Guardian, 30 August 1928, Page 2

Tub Licensing Bill is regarded as the most contentious matter to come before Parliament this session. It is considered once the proposed measure is disposed of, the end of the session will be in sight. Th proposals for the I ill are, as yet unknown publicly. AVhatever has been decided —and it is believed a decision has been reached--the secret is being well kept. Cerainly inquisitive members are not asking questions in the House which suggests some sort of a mutual understanding on the matter. It is believed outside Parliament that the Bill "ill [

present a two-issue ballot paper. The question of State control as an issue will therefore be eliminated. If the two issue paner is agreed to, the next, question will he the margin of majority to decide, assuming a bare majority will-not be agreed to with the issues reduced to two. The percentage of majority then becomes the factor in the matter. As a correspondent puts it, whether the prohibitionist members of the House are likely to agree to the itn|x>silion of any handicap on the vote required to carry prohibition is a matter for conjecture, but there 1s a possibility that a handicap of 2J per cent, might prove acceptable to a majority of the members. Last session the Bill was returned from the Legislative Council with a provision for. a 5 per cent, majority in order to carry prohibition, but, as this did not prove acceptable to the members of the Lower

House, and no compromise could He agreed upon, the Hill was dropped. This year it is understood that some of tlie prohibitionist mcndicrs are willing to agree to the imposition of a small Handicap ratlier than miss the opportunity of .securing an amendment of tlie present law. ft is ratlier surprising that tlie concession offered last session in this respect was nol accepted as a stepping stone to something greater later. The party has evidently become wiser now. Tf, as is expected, the Ill'll is introduced this week, the possibilities are that tlm sesolion will be brought lo a ohme ir'vnit the end of September or - early in October and that the general election will he held in the second or third week in November. Quite a number of imoortant matters have yet fo he dealt with hv the House, hut once the Incusing Hill is out of the way it will Ik- fairly plain sailing. In that event the session will end in about a month’s time to he followed innin diate!y by the general election and the broadcasting of .propaganda affecting the licensing poll.