LIQUOR QUESTION

Hokitika Guardian, 15 August 1929, Page 5

LIQUOR QUESTION

A ROYAL COMMISSION. (British Official Wireless.) (Received this day at LI a.m., RUGBY, August 14. The highly-controversial liquor question is to be the subject of examination by a Royal Commission in accordance with the promise made in the speech from the Throne after the present Labour Government had taken office. Mr J. R. Clynes (Home Secretary) announced recently that Lord Amulree, formerly Sir William MacKenzie, would act as chairman of the Commission. Lord Amulree is one of foremost experts on industrial arbitration and an authority on the 'law relating to liquor licensing. The names of ten members of the Commission are now announced.

The liquor interests will be represented by Thomas Skurray, President of the Brewers’ Society, and John Morgan, Chairman of the National Council of the Retail Liquor Trade.

The temperance associates on the Commission will be Rev. -Henry* Carter (Secretary of the Temperance Council of Christian Churches) and Arthur Shenvel, who has written much on liquor trade.

The other six members include +"■ prominent trade unionists, Sir Edwin Stockton, who is a Manchester merchant, a Club Secretary, Mr Bryson, Chairman of the Birmingham Licensing Bench, and Mrs Barton, Secretary of the Co-operative Women’s Guild. These six members constitute the central balancing body between temperate interests on the one hand and the liquor interests on the other. ,

Having regard to the importance of the questions involved and the magnitude of the interests concerned it is understood ten more members will be appointed, representing all sides of opinion.

To reinforce this central balancing body the inclusion of medical representatives is also advocated in some quarters. The terms of reference to the Commission are, however, to inquire into the working of the laws relating to supply and sale of intoxicating liquors, and into the social and economic aspects off the question and to examine and report on proposals which may be made for amending the law in England and Wales in the public interest. The medical aspect of tl|e question is therefore hardly within the scope of the inquiry.

No members of Parliament will sit on the Commission, it being held 1 that they might’ be subjected to pressure by electors. <

The inquiry is expected to last n« long as two or three years. It will be for the Commissioners to decide whether they shall visit the United States to see prohibition in practice.