LIQUOR QUESTION

Hokitika Guardian, 13 September 1928, Page 4

LIQUOR QUESTION

RIVAL VIEWS. (liy Telegraph—Per Press Association.) WELLINGTON, Sept. 12. The Dominion Executive of tiie NewZealand Licensing Reform Association met to-day, when tiie following resolutions were carried:—That the N.Z. Licensing Reform Association expresses its keen disappointment at tiie reintreduction of tins provision of the Licensing Rill confining tiie issues at licensing polls to tiie two questions of Prohibition and Continuance, thereby depriving tiie moderate section of their right to declare for Reform, and urges tiie Government, if the middle issue Is repealed, to .so frame the ballot paper ns to protect tiie elector from being forced to a choice between the two extremes, and that, to effect this purpose, the ballot paper bo framed in tiie following form of question and answer :

'“Are you in favour of National Prohibition?” “I vote ‘Ye*.’ ” “I vote ‘No.’ ”

The voter is to strike out the answer to which lie is opposed. The Association approves tiie provision in the Bill for tiie extension’ of the time between the licensing polls as a measure of true temperance- legislation. The Association approves the principle of the need for a stable majority, provided in the Bill, hut maintains that with a two-issue ballot paper, the proportion of sixty per cent, is the very lowest margin on which Prohibition could be calculated as having sufficient moral support of tiie citizens to provide the remotest prospect of enforcement. The Association welcomes, as a measure of reform, Hie provisions aimed at checking trafficking in licenses and providing ror tiie improvement of premises and sanitation, and tiie registration of barmen.

The Standing Committee of tiie New Zealand Alliance to-day considered the proposals contained in the Licensing Amendment Bill, introduced by- tiie Prime Minister. '

It was resolved: “That while appreciating the proposal to eliminate from tiie ballot paper the issue of State Purchase and Control, we are disappointed that a proposal is'contained in a hill whorebv a 55 per cent, majority jnust be obtained before National Prohibition can be carried. Seeing that tiie Ho-use last session, by a majority vote of eleven, made a declaration in favour of the simple majority, this Committee fails to understand why tile proposal for 55 per cent, majority should again have been included. Il is surprising to note tliat the Prime Minister lias again a proposal to extend the time between the polls, seeing tliat the House deleted this clause from the Licensing Bill last session by 51 votes to 23. Tho Staiiding Committee considers that tiie proposals covering the proposed Restoration poll are ■certain conditions, liquor to he served r: ore satisfactory -than those’contained in tho Bill brought down last scission, particularly in regard to the protection of tiro present no license areas. Section 37 proposes to allow, under certain conditions, liquor to he served in tiie dining rooms of bote’s, or chartered clubs up till 10 o’clock at night, increasing the hour of sale from 8 p.m. until 10 ij.m. The Standing Committee consider this is a distinguished retrograde step. It is to he hoped that all Members who are against increased facilities for the drinking of alcoholic liquors will vote against the proposals contained in this section. Tiie Stand ing Committee is again determined to secure for tiie electors tiie right to east their vote on the licensing issue on a two-issue ballot paper, Prohibition versus Continuance, tiie issue to he decided by a simple majority.'”