The N.Z. Alliance on the Licensing Bill.

Manawatu Herald, 28 August 1894, Page 3

The N.Z. Alliance on the Licensing Bill.

The N.Z. Alliance was in session upon the new Licensing Bill with the result that, while proposing certain amendments, they cordially welcome a provision of a simultaneous local and national option poll covering all forms of license, the simpli^ fication of the voting paper, and making the cost of the poll chargeable to the public account, the nonelective Committee, which relieves the voting of a great encumbrance, and also relieves prohibitionists from entanglement in regulation responsibilities ; abolition of bottle and N.Z. wines, and railway licenses and special licensing districts, the protection of localities where no licenses exist by restriction of the power of renewal of licenses, the abandonment of the half vote though a quarter vote is required where a Parliamentary election is not contested, the non-retroactive effect given to Clause 21 of last year's Act, and a number of improved subsidiary restrictive regulations. I Availing themselves of the free hand promised to Parliament by the Government, the Alliance decided to ask their supporter! in the House and th# country to support such

amendments as that a majority of those who vote shall determine the issue of the polls, that the reduction vote shall be excluded as it has already proved insufficient of Itself in every district to carry that determiriatioti, tlidt f conditional licenses and all licensing in native districts be abolished, that the local option vote cover existing club charters, that no increase of licenses nor new club charters be allowed, that liquor selling be unlawful on shop half holidays and election days, and that all license fees be paid into and cost of administering the Act be paid out of the consolidated fund. — Press Assooiation.