THE LICENSING LAW.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 295, 6 May 1913, Page 3

THE LICENSING LAW.

ANOTHER DEPUTATION TO THE ■PREMIER. A "SQUARE DEAL" PROMISED. By Tel ('graph—Press Association. Auckland, May 4. A deputation of between forty and fifty strong, representing various prohibition and temperance bodies in and around the city was introduced to the Premier this afternoon by Mr. A. Harris, M.P., the chief objects of the interviewers being to ask the Government to so amend the present licensing legislation as to substitute the bare majority for the three-fifths system, to abolish the four years' grace to the trade in the event of national prohibition being carried, and in the meantime to pass legislation imposing the observance of a weekly half-holiday by hotelkeepers and the restriction to one bar to each hotel.

i Mr. Massey, in replying, pointed out that earlier in the week, a Presbyterian deputation had waited on him, and his reply had been that there was a great deal of important legislation to be preI pared for the coming sessibn, which was of far greater urgency to the country than the liquor question, which could not come before the people until the next election. As soon as the Cabinet reassembled, the question whether a Liquor Bill Bhould be proceeded with this session or not would be decided. His reply to the present deputation must be the same.

I "Regarding the bare majority," added i the Premier, "I think members of the [deputation have overlooked this poirit. There has already been a division of the present Parliament on the question of reducing the majority from threefifths to 55 per cent. The division then showed that there was an actual majority of ten against the proposal. If that is the opinion of the present Parliament, how do you hope to see the bare majority proposal put through?" A Deputationist: It means, then, that a change of Government will be necessary.

Mr. Massey: Every member of the Jpreßent House is pledged one way or another on this matter, except myself. I believe I am the only member who is not pledged to one or other of the majority proposals. The liquor question has never been made a party measure. In| Mr. Seddon's time the Government had brought down a Liquor Bill and said, "There is a Bill. There are our proposals, but we don't intend to use the party whip. Everyone can use his own discretion." If we brought down'a Liquor Bill we should do exactly the same. Speaking on the question of private - bars, Mr. Massey said he was prepared to consider the introduction of specific regulations regarding the restriction of the number of bara to each. As to the proposal to close the bars on a weekly half-holi-day, that was a wide and far-reaching question, but he was also prepared to consider that, matter along with the other one.

A Member: We want a "square- deal" for all things. ; Mr. Massey: A very good principle to go on. As a matter of fact I happen to know that there will be a provision in the next Shops and Offices Bill dealing with hotels, but not in the direction indicated by the deputation. However, I hope that when the next Liquor Bill comes along a square deal will be given to all parties.