NEW LICENSING BILL.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VIII, Issue 625, 6 December 1913, Page 5

NEW LICENSING BILL.

PROMISED NEXT SESSION. PRIME MINISTER'S STATEMENT. [BY TKLEGHAI'H. —I'P.KSS A.S.SOCIATIOX.] Wellington, Thursday. As soon as the Houss of Representatives resumed after the dinner adjournment to-night the Prime Minister said he had a few words to say on the subject of what business he proposed should be proceeded with. Mr Massey went on to say that it had been decided to postpone going on with the consideration of a Licensing Bill until She commencement of next session. The Bill would be brought down early in the session, and would contain three provisions. In the first place, it was intended to place the issues submitted on the ballot papers more clearly than they are at present. The Government was given to understand that there had been considerable confusion in regard to this matter at the last loea! option polls, and that: people had voted in a way that they did not intend to vote. It was also intended to bring in an amendment of the law regarding the registration of barmaids. There would be provision for reducing the majority required in connection with the national prohibi• tion poll from 60 to 55 per cent. The Bill would not in any sense be made a party or policy measure, and would bs considered aa Licensing Bills were usually considered, from a non-party point of view.