THE LICENSING LAW.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 50, 17 July 1912, Page 5

THE LICENSING LAW.

THE GOVERNMENT'S ATTITUDE.

By Telegraph—Press Association. Wellington, Last Night. A deputation number about 30, representing the New Zealand Alliance, waited on the Prime Minister, the Hon. W. F. Massey, this evening. The speakers were the Rev. W. J. Comrie (chairman of the Alliance), and Messrs. A. R. Atkinson. G. Carson (Wanganui), and R. A. Wright. The deputation asked for a reduction of the three-fifths handicap, which tliey said was intolerable, stricter administration of the law in the King Country, one-brewery-one-license (this involving the abolition of depots), enforcement of 10 o'clock closing and Sunday closing, an amendment of the law which now allows the employment of unregistered barmaids ig. private bars by providing for one-license-one-bar, a fresh poll to |>e taken on the licensing question if a dissolution takes place one year after a general election, and electoral reform providing for purging rolls and tile prevention of tampering'with ballot papers. The deputation asked that the Government should embody the foregoing amendments in a Bill during the coming session, or, failing that, that a Bill dealing simply with the majority question be introduced.

In reply, Mr. Masgey said that thefe was 110 chance of the Government bringing forward a Licensing Bill this session. except to meet the point raised regarding barmaids, but if a private member brought down a Bill dealing with the whole question, tile Government would place no obstacle in its way. As to the King Country the European population was increasing there so rapidly that the time was coming when the population of that district must have a right to say yes or no concerning licenses. His Government would administer the existing law strictly and impartially. Personally he was quite unpledged on the question of the threefifths majority. As to the request for one-license-one-brewery in order to abolish depots, he would require time to make inquiries into that phase of the question.