N.Z. ALLIANCE

Hokitika Guardian, 30 August 1929, Page 3

N.Z. ALLIANCE

WANTS LEGISLATION,

PREMIER DECLINES REQUEST

(B.v Telegraph—Press Association)

WELLINGTON, August 29,

A definite statement 'that licensing legislation would be introduced during the present Parliament was made 'by Sir Joseph Ward yesterdaj to a deputation from the New Zealand Alliance. He made it clear n would be futile to attempt any such legislation with the House of Representatives as it was at present constituted.

• The Secretary of the Alliance, Mr Edmond, who put the requests, said the first plank was a simple majority, with only two issues. If there were three issues, they wanted the matter decided on a preferential vote. Other ends were no license to Tongariro Chateau, which was in the King Country; and restrictions on cabarets. The position in regard to bars in hotels also needed attention, and iso bottle stores, which were doing tremendous damage to the social life of the community.

Sir Joseph Ward said lie would not ogree to be responsible for introducing a bill in the House, as it was at present constituted. It would be inviting not only discord, but an attempt at legislation which it would not be possible to go on with. It was only fair to say it would be power'ess for him to give effect to the wishes of the deputation even if he were' favourable to them, because, so far as ho could see, the present House was against licensing legislation. In regard to a brewery license at Otahuhu, lie regretted it had been issued. It had been issued by the Customs Ministers with the very best intentions, hut he agreed that the matter should have' come before Calbinet as a matter of administration. He pointed out that in the past such licenses had not come before Cabinet. He agreed that it should not have been issued, especially when the brewery was close to a Presbyterian institution where there were children.