NEW LICENSING BILL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 248, 25 November 1909, Page 2

NEW LICENSING BILL.

NO-LICENSE CONVENTION. AN ALTERATION REQUIRED. Sy Telegranii.-Press Association. Wellington, Last Night. The No-License Convention was presided over by Mr. A. S. Adams, of Dunedin. The agreement recently made as a basis of probable legislation this session was endorsed, except in one important particular, which is explained in the following resolution, which was carried unanimously;—

"That this Convention, having cavefully considered the main provisions of the Licensing Bill, cannot consent to a form of ballot paper which would disfranchise all electors who are not. prepared to vote for both local option and nolicense oil'the present law and Dominion prohibition on a much stricter basis. It is of opinion that the proposed balot paper will not only confuse and mislead electors, but will prevent the free and full expression of their will. The Convention therefore requires that the issues of local option and Dominion option be represented to electors on two separate voting papers." A deputation afterwards laid I lie matter before Sir Joseph Ward and the Hon. Dr. Findlay. The Prime Minister promised to reply later.

DENIED ADMISSION. OPEN-ATR MEETING OF I'ROTKST, Wellington. Last Xi«lit. Messrs William Richardson -n, WnTsTi. both of Auckland, were iloniet admission to the No-License Conveu Hon to-day, not being properly appoint ••d delegates. Thev arranged'an open air meeting tomtit. There were alio n •TOO present. At one stage Richardsor said the Convention was'not constitu tionally appointed. He condemned incompact made with the trade and commented strongly on the attitude of »r I'indlay and others. Walsh said the compact had really been engineered hv Ihe Hon. G. Fowhls at the insli.ratim, "f Sir Joseph Ward. A ro-olution co„dcnming die compact and dcclarin.r for mi compromise wa< declared cairieil ! v Richardson, though eight voted against it and none for it. "