THE LIQUOR INTERESTS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 37, 3 July 1914, Page 5

THE LIQUOR INTERESTS.

PRESENT TIIEIII CASK TO THE PREMIER. "EMPHASISING THE DANGERS." PREMIER PROMISES FAIR PLAY. By Telegraph—Pie*. Association. Wellington, July 2. A deputation, consisting of several hundred people, representing the liquor interests, waited on the Premier tins morning. The deputation was introduced by Mr Stathain, M.P.

The first speaker was 'Mr A. E. Kornot, representing the Wellington wine mill spirit merchants, who said I'hiey had come for the purpose of emphasising the dangers fiat threatened the publie weal and the national credit if the demands of t'he prohibition party were ever favorably considered. The trade contributed nearly £1.(100,01)0 to the publie revenues and, in view of the fact, that they had fifteen million* invested in property, felt no apology was liece-sai'v for placing their views .before the (iovernnient. Thcv claimed (ll that the people should know what new taxation was likely to be imposed if prohibition was carried; (21 that no majority less than three-fifths should be entitled to earn" prohibition; (3) that seven years >ibould expire before lioii-es should be closed under Dominion option; (!) that some provision Himild br made fo r tho>e thrown i nt. of employment if prohibition was carried.

Mr A. Hank-art (Auckland I'rcM-ers' Association) contended that the prohibitionists had nothing at stake. They were merely .fighting for a sentiment, but Were attacking tii'e bu-inesse-t of their neighbors and threatening the cuinfrv's coriie.erce and the individual rights and privileges of the people. It was doubtful if any majority had the riidit to dictate to the minoritv what should eat or drink. The speaker a.mi complained of the ambiguity in t wording of the Domini' u ballotpaper and asked that I hi' issue he put to 1 lie people in the phiinesi terms. Mr -I. li. Thomson i Invcrr.irjrill) j • '"iitrovei'te I the Inures M uotod bv' Ml" no-lieonse deputation as to tile cll'oct ot e.oilicens,. in ih-\- areas, ohiiiuiny that their .stali'-lic-s did not bear out the claims of the prohibitionists. Wv .T. •P.everidge (Cliri.tehlliv.li). representing t'lie Licensed Yietiiallfi-,' \ssoeiation. contended that in view of [he trend or public opinion Parliament had no mandate from the countrv to aba',,, one iota of the inajoritv required ■Hide,, the existing legislation. Mr Massev replied along the line, of nis answer to the nn-lieciise ,!epu.tatio„. I e congratulated the deputation upon "'••• r 'oneise ni ,i 1 m>iiiH-sli 'lt ion of their views. T[ e believed , s ""' s f," 1 . 1 ' 1 ' '"ive an opportunitv ;;rs and mentb.rs of Parliament The "° n " l *>' he fere Parliament i„ a Jew days ll0p( , (I i"s long fee 1,,,,, „„ either side. Tie, ob w..s t.ie same a, last vear. but the •""""I";"t \ ould consider amend'K lll, ' v "of make if ~ I-'." 11 ' n:e;:-iire. but I'air pl av W'li t<> lioth si,|,. s . ' '