LICENSING LEGISLATION.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXI, Issue 499, 26 October 1909, Page 2

LICENSING LEGISLATION.

IMPORTANT STATEMENT BY THE PREMIER;

Replying to a deputation representing the New Zealand Alliance, and urging certain reforms in the licensing law, the Premier said he thought it was only right for him to say that nothing in the way of legislation would be done this session. Representations made to him would be considered with a view to legislation next session. The bare majority question and the Dominion vote were big proposals, and he fully recognised there was a strong feeling in the matter. He was in sympathy with the cause of temperance reform, but thosequestions would have to receive very careful consideration before* the Government could arrive at a definite conclusion. The Government had always kept* before lit the question of what would happen if Dominion no-license were carried. Apart altogether from the question whether it was desirable, last year the country received (04 in revenue from the importation of wines, 'spirits, and beer, and in the event of Dominion prohibition being carried about two-thirds of this amount would have to be provided by means of taxation of some ! kind. It would mean a tremendous change in our system of internal taxation. In regard to the locker system, the Premier said he quite agreed that legislation should be brought in to put an end to the existing state of things, which was an undesirable substitute for the former system in places where no-lioense had been carried. - -