THE LIQUOR QUESTION.

Taihape Daily Times, Issue 220, 26 September 1917, Page 5

THE LIQUOR QUESTION.

ANOTHER LIQUOR BILL. POSSIBILITY THIS SESSION. WELLINGTON, Sept. 24. The possibility of another Liqour Bill being introduced in Parliament this session is being discussed in the lobbies. In the course of a recent speech Sir Joseph Ward hinted that the adoption of six o’clock closing might make further liquor legislation desirable. A Bill would certainly have to be passed this session if a licensing poll is to be held before the next general election. Legislation will also be required if the Government feels that there should be an alteration in the issues to be placed before the voters at the nCxt poll. The question of State control or Sta\e ownership is now receiving a good deal of attention of State control or State ownership is now receiving a good deal of attention, and the problem of compensation has also been forced to the front. There is a great probability that when the Bill appears It will contain three provisions for submission to a plebescite: (1) Continuance under existing system. (2) Total prohibition with adequate compensation; and (3) State control. • The fooling in the House is that 'prohibition -would be carried, if now submitted, though the soldiers’ votes must be taken into consideration, but a considerable section expresses the belief that the country would favour State control under a Board of Commissioners, as ttiis would be more likely to guard against the evils of illicit trad ing, and at the same time protect the Treasury from a heavy drain in the way of compensation liabilities at a time when, the country is in urgent need of all its financial resources for war purposes.