SIX O’CLOCK CLOSING.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 1734, 5 July 1917, Page 2

SIX O’CLOCK CLOSING.

With regal'd to the request for early (dosing legislation, said Mr Massey to a deputation in support, at Wellington this week, he could say to the deputation that the Government was not going to shirk (he question. Cabinet had not yet considered it in any way. Naturally, it must be a policy matter, and he did not know a question on which the House got so excited as 'bn the liquor question. No Minister had any right to commit the Government to any course of action until Cabinet bad dealt with it. Cabinet would have an opportunity of dealing with the question, and until that had been done he could say nothing further. Then it would'be for Parliament to deal with the question when the Bill Came down, and any member could move any amendment he pleased. Replying to questions, Air Massey said that the Bill could not come down at once, but it would come down in due course, and it would not; be delayed until the dying hours of the session, lie would not commit the Government to any measure providing for a referendum. This woidd also be a matter for consideration. Jlis experience had been that the referendum was not satisfactory. He did not refer to the local option poll. That would stand. His opinion was, however, that the elected representatives of the people should carry the responsibility.