THE LICENSING BILL.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 3772, 27 March 1928, Page 3

THE LICENSING BILL.

ALLIANCE LEADER’S STATEMENT. Addressing a meeting at Taradale, Mr. C. Edmund,, secretary of the New Zealand Alliance, reviewed the history of the licensing question during the last session continued: — “On the last day of the session a deputation of ‘dry’ members of the Reform Party waited on the Prime Minister, when it was suggested that a caucus he held in January in order that the party might discuss the question. So far there are no indications that that caucus will he held at an early date.

“From my knowledge of our movement in the Dominion there is not the slightest chance of any departure from the principle of the hare majority of the two-issue ballot paper. “We are assured by our friends in the Government Party that the question must he considered again during the coining session of Parliament and we are still hopeful that the 1928 licensing referendum will he taken on a two-issue ballot paper and be decided on the hare majority vote. “If the matter is not settled during the next session then the question must become a vital issue at the next general election. The responsibility for this must rest on the Legislative Council. No question is ever settled until it is settled right and we intend to continue to .fight for the right of the people to abolish the liquor traffic by a free democratic vote.”