The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 30, 1929. LICENSING REFORM.

Hokitika Guardian, 30 January 1929, Page 4

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 30, 1929. LICENSING REFORM.

'*)nk of the fruits of the late referendum in regard to the licensing question should he a measure of reform in respect to the existing Act. The late oiovernment dabbled with Tc in a very ipilf-hearted manner. Not only was die party not behind the Government, out even the Cabinet was divided and went the length of airing its difference m the floor of the House. “We should .■.ay that with the experience of Sir .Joseph Ward, if he intends to move in regard to licensing reform, lie will handle the bill lie brings down with more tact than lii.s predecessor. Mr Coates was sincere enough in what lie attempted, but as Prime .Minister lie should have made sure of his ground before launching out He was at the head of a party strong enough to carry uiy measure agreed upon, and knowing the temper of the House as a whole—lie had experience of it the previous session—lie should have acted more circumspectly. His course of action ■lid ultimate fate in regard to the Bill, is a warning to any who come after who may he disposed to set about a measure of reform. As we have said. Sir Joseph Ward with his experience in tactics will not lie guilty of a similar blunder. As regards licensing reform. there was something of a man-

d:ito given at .the last poll. The vote fir licenses to continue was a very pronounced one. There was a substantial -vain for that issue. State Control is i i opposition to prohibition', and it a'so showed some advance. The prohibition issue slipped bade, and the verdict of the polls lieing so substantially in the aggregate for licenses to continue, justifies the Licensing Act l eing reviewed and a measure of reform brought about. The tenure between polls is an important issue to the country. ft is important in this way. If licenses are to continue ns the people have voted, then the licensed houses should be encouraged to cater to the best advantage for the travelling public. There* is the complaint every summer senson that the hotel accommodation is inadequate, for the travellers. The licensees on their part do; not deny that charge, hut they assert with a giotl deal of economic reason that it would not justify a large outlay in rebuilding or even enlarging on a threovenrs’ tenure. But it is given out that for a more extended tenure, licensees would'“see their way to enlarge and expand their hostelries. It is said that in the main centres there would be at once something of a mild building boom. Thousands of pounds are available for the trade to extend its accommodation on proper linos, not only to meet the demands, hut also to satisfy (ue mere exacting requirements of the best class of tourist traffic likely to tour New Zealand. Enterprise of this character is surely worth encouraging if the country desires to emulate in the matter of drawing more oversea visitors to the Dominion. "We arc justlv proud of the national assets up aim down the country,' hut New Zealand will never see them at proper earning power till the hotel accommodation is improved. There is thus a treble justification for extending the tenure between polls. Tn the first place, and chiofest, it would he in step with public opinion as manifested at the ballot box. In the second place, increased consumption and employment would he provided as a result of the. building boom which would break out following the longer tenure. And thirdly, the tourist resorts would return both directly and indirectly to the country a greater return than ever for the outlay of the past hv attracting year by year, more and more visitors to New Zealand. The Government might well take into serious consideration this question ol licensing reform 1 and the sooner the better in the general public interests. '