LICENSING QUESTION

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 311, 23 March 1928, Page 13

LICENSING QUESTION

TWO-ISSUE BALLOT VITAL ELECTION ISSUE Press Association. NAPIER. To-day. In addressing a meeting at Tara dale last night, Mr. C. Edmonds, secretary, of the New Zealand Alliance, reviewed tho history of the licensing question during the last session. "On the last day of the session,” h«said, “a deputation of ‘dry’ i- ambers of the Reform Party waited on the Prim*Minister. It was suggested that a caucus be held in January, in order that th party might discuss the question. S<* far there are no indications that h caucus will be held at an early date. From my knowledge of our movement in tho Dominion there is not the slightest chance of any departur:. from the principle of the bare majority on a two-issue ballot paper. “We axe assured by our friends in the Government party,” said Mr. Edmonds, “tliat the question must be considered again during the coming session of Parliament, and we are still hopeful that the 1928 licensing refererdum will be taken on a two-issue talk>t paper, and be decided on the bare majority vote. “If the question is not settled during the next session, then it must become a. vital issue at the next general election. Tho responsibility for this must rest cn the Legislative Council, and, in the main, on tho Leader of the Council No question was ever settled until it was settled right, and we intend to continue to fight for the right of th*' people to abolish the liquor traffic bv a. free democratic vote.”