THE LICENSING COMPACT.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXI, Issue 600, 23 November 1909, Page 4

THE LICENSING COMPACT.

AN EMPHATIC PROTEST.

That the proposed basis of the new licensing legislation has not been received with unanimity either by the “trade” or the NoLicense party, there is abundant evidence. The wine and spirit merchants on the one hand are complaining that they were not consulted by those who took upon themselves the responsibility of representing the “trade,” and there are prominent people in the NoLicense ranks who strongly oppose the agreement.

At its meeting on Friday evening the Geraldine No-License League passed the following resolution (to be sent to the New Zea-. land Alliance Executive): — “That this league enters its emphatic protest against the unwarrantable assumption oi those gentlemen who agreed to the compact with the liquor party regarding licensing legislation, their action being in direct opposition to the mandate of the people.” At the same meeting the following resolutions were passed : (1) That provision should be made ior local or Dominion option being carried by bare majority. (2) That on local option being carried, the licensees to have no lurther renewal of their licenses, bars to close at the expiry of the currency of the license.

(3) That each issue of local and Dominion option should be placed upon the ballot paper and voted upon for or against by the elector. (4) That Dominion option shall have the effect as set forth in the Bills passed through the Lower House in 1895 and 1896.

(5) That the provisions regarding local option remain as at present, i.e., the closing of licensed bars.

(6 ) That in the event of Dominion option being carried, it shall not take effect until the expiry of two years after the taking of the poll.

The Rev. G. H. Mann is to represent the Geraldine League at the emergency No-License convention to be held in Wellington tomorro.vv