Manawatu Herald. TUESDAY, JUNE 20, 1893. The Veto Bill.

Manawatu Herald, 20 June 1893, Page 2

Manawatu Herald. TUESDAY, JUNE 20, 1893. The Veto Bill.

We have been favoured with a copy of the Veto Bill, which is be introduced in Parliament this coming session. It quaintly sets out that the** short title of this Act is "The Electoral Districts Alcoholic Liquors Prohibition Act 1893." Liquor is to have the same interpretation as is given to it in " The Licensing Act 1881." The districts are to be identical with the Electoral Districts and on the polling day for election of members of Parliament a poll shall be taken " to determine whether the the sale of liquor within such district shall or shall not be prohibited," and the same roll shall be used as is used for the political poll. In the event of there being no poll for the General Election yet one shall be taken for the Veto. Then follows provisions as to unlawful sales of liquor if poll is carried, a conviction for any such offence being a fine o? imprisonment. The Bill excepts sales by brewers of liquor being their own own manufacture to persons not residing within the district. If the proposal " That the sale cf liquor be prohibited," shall be duly carried at such poll, no further poll shall be taken under this Act in respect of the same district, unless, at least forty two days next before the day fixed for a general election of members to serve in the House of Representatives, a petition praying that such poll shall be taken shall be presented to the Governor, whereupon the Governor may direct such poll to be taken accordingly. This petition has to be signed by one-fifth of the persons whose names are upon the roll used at the last General Election ; the first signature to be subscribed not earlier than 56 days next before the presentation of the petition. This appears to be objec tionable, as it places a difficult job before those who may desire to be freed from what may prove an unappreciated boon. The Bill further provides that if the Act is in force in two-thirds of the districts, then the same is to become absolutely in force in every district and to extend to importation and manufacture. We do not believe the Bill has the slightest chance of getting beyond the second reading, if it gets as far as that, this session. It appears to : be too far reaching to be accepted ' quickly, and we think that too much j power is sought, before any trial' has been given to the proposals. The !

Bill seems to lake for granted that women will secure a vote, as provision is made simply to take the rolls as they will be. However, it it, a measure all shon d ta'ie an interest in ; but for the reason stated above, it appears hardly worth while to minutely examine it.