King Country Chronicle WEDNESDAY, JULY 10, 1912 POLITICS AND PROHIBITION.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VI, Issue 481, 10 July 1912, Page 4

King Country Chronicle WEDNESDAY, JULY 10, 1912 POLITICS AND PROHIBITION.

It is generally conceded that the liquor question exerts a considerable influence upon any political party which may achieve power in New Zealand and the various phases of the question are already being discussed as to their bearing on the present situation. In'some quarters it is firmly held that as the holding of another general election within two years from last election would give the trade an extended term of two years in respect to the local option poll, the strongest possible efforts will be made to bring about a dissolution before the end of next session. Members of the no-license party express themselves pleased with the prospects of the cause in the hands of the new Government. They point out that in the ranks of the Massey party are several staunch supporters of no-license, such as Messrs Malcolm and Fisher, while on the other side of the House are others who must throw in their lot for the support of any measures which aim at furthering the interests of prohibition. "It is not a case of party against party in the political sense," remarked one of the number, "but one in which all temperance supporters in Parliament will be expected to stand together irrespective of party when the times arrives for action." On the other hand representatives of the trade have said nothing, so that anything which may be stated concerning their attitude must b*> mere surmise. At the same time it must be recognised that the position presents possibilities, in a commercial sense, which it would be well not to ignore. If Mr Msaseys' Government proves strong enough to withstand the influences against which it will probably require to battle next session it may go far. If a dissolution is brought about it will be the strongest possible indication that nothing but the union of the strongest and most progressive politicians on both sides of the House will provide a stable Government for the Dominion.