LICENSING REFORMS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 222, 25 October 1909, Page 4

LICENSING REFORMS.

THE GOVERNMENT'S INTENTIONS By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, Oct. 23 Replying to a deputation representing the. New Zealand Alliance, urging certain reforms in the licensing law, the Premier said he thought it was only right for him to say that nothing in the way of legislation would be done this session, but representations made to him w-ould be considered with a view to legislation next session. The bare majority question and a dominion vote were big proposals, and he fully recognised there was a strong feeling in the matter. He was in sympathy with the cause of temperance reform, but those questi-'".'. would nave to receive very careful consideration before the Government cou'.d arrive at a definite conclusion. Tin' Government had always kept before it the question of what would happen if dominion no-license were carried. Apart altogether from the question whether it was desirable, last year the country received £788,104 revenue from tho importation of wines, spirits and beer, and in the event of dominion prohibition 'being carried about two-thirds of thai; amount would have to be provided by means of taxation of some sort. It would mem a tremendous change in our system of internal taxation. With regard to the locker system the Premier said he quite agreed that legislation should be brought in to put an end to the existing stale of things, which was an undesirable substitute for the former system in places where no-license had been carried.