THE LICENSING BILL

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 3727, 8 December 1927, Page 3

THE LICENSING BILL

LICENSED VICTUALLERS VIEWS. Speaking personally, Mr P: Coyle, official representative of the United Licensed Victuallers of New Zealand, said he disagreed with the contention that the Legislative Council, in altering the Bill, had overruled the decisions of the people’s elected representatives in Parliament—the members of the House of Representatives. If that was so, a minority section of the community had tried to force upon the people the issue of Prohibition without any regard to the welfare of the country. If the original Bill, which had been amended by the Prohibitionists, had become law, it certainly would not have conferred any benefits on 'those who were responsible for the conduct of the Trade. “Those who claim that the Bill should have become law as it left the Lower House,” said Mr Coyle, “lose sight of the fact that the third issue was substituted for the threefifths majority. Therefore the House should not delete it without replacing the percentage voting. No doubt that was the principle the Prime Minister had in mind when he included the 55-45 per cent, majority in the Bill as it was introduced. “I hold that to enable contemplated improvements to be effected throughout the Trade, the tenure should be not less than nine years. Despite what may b esaid to the contrary, there has been and there is being expended large sums of money in hotel improvements, but admittedly not as much as would b| the case if there was a guarantee of tenure.” _______