The Daily News. MONDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 1903. THE LICENSING BILL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXXXV, Issue 236, 2 November 1903, Page 2

The Daily News. MONDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 1903. THE LICENSING BILL.

•«> Peobablt what is the moat important debate of the session took place on Friday afternoon and eight, when, contrary to general expectation, the second reading of tbe Licensing Bill was carried on the voices, and a motion to | commit on next sitting day carried by , a large maiority. Most people though', and we must confess we held the same opinion, that the Premier had ititro- ■ duced the measure to enable the question to he discussed dealing with it nexi session. The Premier, having i D view the demand for some finality in licensing legislation, has evidently, with the Cabinet, given tbe matter serious and full consideration, and deemed that the time has come to deal with it. In moving the second reading of the Bill, Mr Seddon certainly made an admirable speech, one which must commend itself to all fair-minded reasouable people. It was logical, temperate, and conciliatory. The Premier dealt with the demand for legislation, and made out a good casfl for the introduction of the measure. He then went on to deal with the difficulties of dealing with such a complex question, and explained the effect of the provisions of the Bill. He also dealt at length with the desires of the Moderate Party, the Prohibitionists, and the " trade," and claimed that as far as possible the reasonable requests of all three parties, where they did not clash, had been embodied in the Bill. He pointed out that in many instances the interests of the Prohibition Party and t jh ' trade' came into direct conflict, and in these cases he had endeavoured to do what was right between them. He claimed that the main object of the measure was to provide means for giving the fullest expression to the will of the people and, when ascertained, carry it into effect. Od account of the conflicting interests, Mr Seddon said ha had txpected the measure would meet with a good deal of adverse criticism, and in this respect he had not been disappointed, as the Bill had been attacked on all sides, but he hoped it would receive reasonable treatment from the members of the House and a measure in advance of the present Act would reach the Statute Bock. The report of the debate whicb followed shows that it was, at times, very heated. In fuck, the s> o.ial correspondent of the Eltham paper, who is understood to ha the Hon. Vv\ 0. Oarncrofs, says, in a wire to his paper : —" During the debate speeches of a violent and discreditable natura were made. Mr T. E. Taylor attacked tbe Premier in a manner nothing short of | disgraceful, raking up nearly every i charge ever made aguins- 1 : him in his j political career. The friends of the sP.emier warmly rtsentedthe speed', sand treated Mr Taylor to some of bin' I own sauce, entering into his privat- | history a: d dragging up family mat' -re.. I file Premier, undtr t<y)ug eiieuui- | stances, i-iaiiiiained a dignified attif tudo." This is much to be regretted, [and is certain u> injure the cause off | Prohibition. The intemperate hostility of Mr Taylor and a taction of tbe pro-1 hibitionists to tho Premitr i-i iioio»! their causa harm. Prohibition has j noshing to thank the Opposition for I and i.otbing ;o hope for from tl.a- ( party, and should tiny roturn to power' f Piohibitjuri would tv.on receive a tiurum-.; j hoc back. Tho Premier, on tlmoth©.-:' I hand, takes up tho sound position 01 j j beitg dotermitiiii to provide legislation ; to give expression to the will of peopla and secure its being gtvon effect 5 o. Naturally there rousu be a wid \ difference of (.pinion on how to do this • j' but we fouJ sure that if tho Prahibi-'ii ii.«i..jint.a v.ei'o to i.russ om> i J i'ouii...,j ~aa!':j wuk win;, isitiWUiCi d iigaicat Llm i^i

would be wiser than the policy now, j pursued by soma of their leaders. 'There are claus s in tho present Bill j jopen to stro"g or j iction, but the Bill j as a whole in a gre -.c advance find shows | a sincere defii*e, on the pift of the Premier, to deal viith ~ ditli.'iilfc qienT i«i in tbo j-iittr. st of i.iw people us a whole.