THE LIQUOR ISSUE

Hokitika Guardian, 6 July 1929, Page 1

THE LIQUOR ISSUE

WELLINGTON, July 4. Provocative statements on the sub-

eet of Prohibition made in tlfe Legis-

lative Council on Wednesday by the Hon. Mr Aidn.tyre brought forth the expected reply from tho Hon. Air .Isitt at to-day’s sitting. Sir Thomas Alackenzie commended Air Mclntyre’s remarks as sound, and said that Prohibition people could devote their energies much more successfully to reform of the trade. He believed the licensing poll should be taken every six years.

Air Isitt denied the allegation that the Prohibition party sought the end of Prohibition only, rather than trade reform. “If our opponents will suggest a reasonable measure of trade reform that the farce should be abolished of the unfortunate l barman being fined for selling liquor to a drunken person, and the-licensee washing his hands/ of the offences and dismissing the barman. The Prohibition party would welcome support for its proposal for a legislative measure compelling a Magistrate to endorse the license of an hotel every time an offence was registered affecting the house. They would do more to regulate trade by such means than by extending the period between polls.