LIQUOR POLL

Hokitika Guardian, 17 August 1931, Page 4

LIQUOR POLL

POSTPONEMENT PROPOSAL,

WELCOMED BY MR FORBES

(British Official Wireless.)

WELLINGTON, August 15.

An announcement that the Cabinet would consider the New Zealand Alliance’s proposal that there should th's year be no referendum on the licensing question, was made by Mr Forbes, in an interview, to-day. , He said that he had received a communication from the Alliance, hut he com-., not indicate the Government’s action until tne Cabinet had considered the question.

Any amendment to the present triennial polls, he said, would have to be dealt with by Parliament'. The Government, of course, welcomed any economies, he added joculaily.

THE TRADE’S- ATTITUDE.

AUCKLAND, August 15.

Commenting on the New Zealand Alliance’s decis : on re the noil-holding of the licensing poll this year, Sir Alfred Bankart, the President of the National Council of the Licensed ictualierS, expressed {pleasure that the Alliance had approached the question cm broad national lines. At the general election, nothing should be allowed to divert the electors' attention frotn the problem of measures that would hasten a restoration of prosperity. In the past, the licensing poll had been practically the dominant factor at the elections' and- had clouded all the other more important issues. The _ postponement of the poll would obviate this, and would also save the country heavy expense. He hoped that the Government would act in the c n tion -indicated.