Prohibition Crusade

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 207, 21 November 1927, Page 8

Prohibition Crusade

AUCKLAND SUPPORTERS JUBILANT Call for Enactment of Legislation THE sober citizen Tallies liis franchise. That is why Mr. A. C. A. Sexton, speaking at a Prohibition rally in the Town Hall yesterday afternoon, made the caustic observation that he resented a system by which his vote was on 1) worth five-sixths of the vote of a man whom they saw thrown out of hotel bars every day. He was alluding to the Prime Minister’s 55 per cent, majority proposal.

iy£R. SEXTON scouted the current impression that a 55 per cent, majority was a very little thing. In actual fact It meant that, to carry a national poll, Prohibition supporters would have to cast six votes for every five continuance votes. The gathering at which this revelation was made was a largely attended meeting of Prohibition supporters, called together by the Auckland branch of the New Zealand Alliance. The Hon. George Fowlds presided, and

the speakers were the chairman, and Messrs. W. R. Tuck, Sexton, and R. A. Laidlaw. Mr. Fowlds said he believed that Mr. Coates would be as good as his word, and would give the House another opportunity to express its views. MAJORITY IN HOUSE His attitude in asking that progress he reported on the measure was the logical sequel to the manner in which the Bill had been amended at the hands of the House. By itself, the formality of reporting progress would have meant the collapse of the Bill, but with the addendum, “that the House should have leave to sit again,” the resolution implied that the Bill could be brought up again at any time. “And I believe,” added Mr. Fowlds, “that Mr. Coates will be as good as his word, and will give the Bill a good spin.” It was probably the first time in the history of New Zealand that supporters of a reasonable Prohibition ballot had been in a majority in the House, and for that reason it would he a great pity if so substantial a

majority was to be denied the opportunity of putting its ideas into legislation. The position now held by Prohibition supporters was gratifying, and showed the wisdom of the policy followed by the Alliance which, while not extracting pledges from members of Parliament, had sought from them an indication of how they would vote on this most vital question. It was a reasonable thing that a candidate should be prepared to say where he stood on a question of such magnitude, and it was gratifying now to see that a majority in Parliament supported the principles for which the alliance had been fighting. Hitherto the Alliance had been under a handicap. It was entitled to ask a fair field for competition. DIVIDED PARTIES Mr. W. R. Tuck, chairman of the Auckland branch of the Alliance, said he had been in Wellington when the Bill was before the House, and was glad to say that all members of Parliament bad done their duty by voting on the measure. The only ones who did not take part in the proceedings were three members who happened to be away through sickness. Amendments carried by the House altered the whole complexion of the Bill, and the Prime Minister had found himself opposed in vital divisions by half his party and many of his Ministers. In the circumstances the Bill as it now stood was in a critical position, hut Parliament had imposed on Mr. Coates a definite obligation to give the House another opportunity of putting the Bill through. Mr. A. C. A. Sexton, the third speaker at the meeting, agreed that the Bill was still in a critical position, in spite of the magnificent majorities on the three main issues, but it was plain that the time had come when Prohibition supporters were stronger in Parliament than the liquor trade, which formerly dominated the House. It was a very satisfactory position. The good work done by the Alliance was referred to by Mr. R. A. Laidlaw, who said the attitude of Parliament toward the Licensing Bill would be considered a reflection of the untiring efforts of the Alliance officials. It was now opportune for fuller support than ever to be given to the Alliance by advocates of Prohibition. REQUEST TO PRIME MINISTER At the conclusion of the meeting the following motion was carried, with only one dissentient: That gratification be declaped at the fact that, by substantial majorities, the House of Representatives rejected the proposed extension of time between licensing polls, adopted the proposal for a two-issue ballot paper, and carried an amendment in favour of the bare majority. It is respectfully but urgently requested that the Prime Minister ensure to Parliament this session opportunity for full and free consideration of the Licensing Bill, and for the enactment of such legislation as it shall approve.