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Hokitika Guardian, 26 September 1928, Page 4

The Prime Minster (Mr Cbat.es) is receiving liis share of blame from somequarters for th© defeat of the Licensing Bill. Mr Coates, however, has been frankness all through, and was fair and open in the steps he took. Whatever may be said of the wisdom of bis action in bringing down a. Bill on which lie did not consult Cabinet (and lie did this two sessions running) credit must b© .given him for fulfilling his pledges and of shaping a measure which- had a gooch deal of merit in it. The licensing issue, certainly as far as it takes in prohibition, looms too large in our politics. ]t is a social and not a political question. Tlie reform of the licensing law is something apart from the tenets of prohibition, and the two matters should be kept separate. Until they are we shall hope in vain for finality or for any moderat steps forward towards the enforcement of temperance through reform of the licensing laws of the day. JPobably one reason for the charges levelled at Mr Coates is the discomfiture of those rabid anti-liquor people who are now realising the ou-nortunity lost in not taking more advantage of the BP when before a House the majority of the members of which were pledged to the prohibition movement. As we remarked the other day, that golden opportunity is not likely to recur in ,so favourable a way in the> new' Parliament. But there will still remain the necessity for a measure of reform if New Zealand is to be given the opportunity to ' cater more adequately for the flow of tourist traffic which should come this way were there more and better hotel accommodation. An improved tenure and a more definite regulation of the trade are certainly required. The wants of large centres inadequately served by hotels should be attended .to. It appears private enterprise is not going to do the job unless there are licensing facilities—and these c. .mot be increased at present under the law. But a sample amendment would permit of an adjustment whereby the difficulties of the situation could be -overcome without increasing the aggregate number of the licenses in the'Dominion. This is a very important aspect in the public interests, and every year the need for reform is more pressing. A Bik for the reform of the licensing law as far as it relates to inn-keepers is certainly an urgent matter.