WELLINGTON TOPICS.

Taranaki Daily News, 7 August 1917, Page 8

WELLINGTON TOPICS.

THE LIQUOR PROBLEM.

EFPICIENCY BOARD SUGGESTS REFERENDUM.

(Special Correspondent). Wellington, Aug. ;l The truth concerning the recommendations of the Efficiency Board in regard to the liquor traflic is out at last. The contradictory statements of the local newspapers as to the nature of the recommendations 'has forced the hand of the (,'overiiment and the full text of the Board's suggestions arc available to-day. It seems that all the newspapers were assisted by some measure of intelligent anticipation in their speculations. The Board discusses the problem from three aspects, the moral, the linancial, and nvnat may be called the utilitarian, and wlule summing up in favor of the suspension of the traflic for the period of the war and for six months after, it recognises that ''prohibition is a people's question," and holds it must be finally determined by a popular vote. It suggests that this vote should be taken at ouco and that in the event of the electors deciding in the affirmative ''reasonable compensation" should be granted to tho people directly engaged in the trade. Xeediess to say the prohibitionists are delighted with the Board's report, rather lor its inferential condemnation of tho liquor traffic than for its suggestions of reform, and very hopeful of something being done towards the promotion ot their cause during the present session.

A PROHIBITIONISTS VIEW. The member lor Christchureh North may bo fairly congratulated upon the moderation uf the little; speech in which he welcomed the Hoard's report to the House. Just how far the member tor Christchureh North is entitled to, speak on behalf of the official prohibitionists in those day.? it is difficult to say. His experience in Parliament has taught him what is practicable and what is impracticable in the way of reform, and probably his readiness to accept the half loaf rather than go without bread has iirmctiines tried tho patience of his impetuous friends. But his acceptance of the facts as they exist has enormously increased his influence in the Mouse and in the country and his attitude towards compensation may bring his former colleagues appreciably nearer to their goal. He does not believe the liquor trade is morally entitled to ono penny of compensation, but ho believes the injury it does to the nation to be so great he will not strongly oppose the payment of a price for its abolition. Were the platform of the Prohibition Party amended along these lines even the present Parliament might be induced to look upon it with come favor.

THE OPPOSITION VIEW. The Opposition view of the Board's suggestions though critical enough, is much less emphatically hostile than might have been expected. A member of the House, who may be taken as fairly representative of the large body of politicians who think tiie trade should be mended and not ended, said this afternoon that he and his friends would have no objection to State control nvith compensation oil the lines indicated by the members of the Board. They would not even insist upon compensation wM«out regard to the possibilities of the licensing noil. They would be satisfied with the assumption tor the purpose of valuation that the licenses would endure for nine or ten years, but they objected to (lie Board's sweeping condemnation of liquor as an evil thing in all circumstances and the member himself thought this tended rather to weaken than to strengthen the case for temporary prohibition. This member is in favor of six o'clock closing, but he does not approve of the further restrictions suggested by the Board and does not believe they will be accepted by the House.

THE GOVERNMENT'S ATTITUDE. Of course the fate of the 'Board's suggestions depends entirely upon the altitude of the Cabinet towards them. That .Ministers are divided on the question of early closing and on the bigger question of prohibition is known to everyone, but it is understood a majority of them incline towards the minimum of reform. A week or two ago it seemed as if eight o'clock closing was the most the advocates of restriction could expect and so far the Cabinet, as it appears in the House, has shown 110 sign of being greatly intlueuced by the Board's report. An objection urged in some quarters to the proposed referendum is that fit would give the Government an excuse for asking for a dissolution in order that the parliamentary election might take place at the same time. It is thought this would bo a good tactical move from the Government's point of view in that it would give Ministers a renewed lease of life, but it ,is a course the party leaders scarcely could adopt without stultifying what they have reiterated about the necessity of preserving peace and concord during war time.

THE LOAN BILL. The Loan Bill, following closely on the heels of the Budget. made its appearance in tlio House on Th u afternoon, and occupied the attention oi members to the exclusion of all other subjects up till tlio adjournment at a quarter past ten, when the second reading had been taken and the third reading set down for next day. The 'Bill authorises the Government to raise twenty-four millions by way of loan, at 41 per cent, interest free of income-tax. and the first instalment of this huge borrowing will be twelve millions, to he floated as oarly as the necessary arrangements can be made. Tlio measure was closely criticised from both sides of the House, the new Vigilance Committee, which is composed mainly of Liberals and Labovites, finding plenty of sympathisers among the Reformers for Ihe suggestions it offered to the Minister of Finance.

TIIE KATE OF INTEREST There was no objection to the magni tude of the loan. Sir Joseph Ward made it quite plain in the Budget that the money was' required, and the House accepted the inevitable with easy composure and good grace. But there was much criticism directed against the exemption of big investors from incometax. while no concession '\ttis made for a similar concession to small investors. It was shown that while the. smaJl investor would receive only 4J per cent. for his -Cn or £lO or £2O, the Ibig investor, by virtue of his exemption, would receive from 6 to 7 per cent, for his £5,000 or £IO,OOO or £20,000. The argument, was plausible euough when it | nought a higher rate -for the small in- : Te»tsnc, hat its iwttifcttMw stood reyeakd

when it demanded a lower rate for the big investor.

THE DEMAND FOR MONEY. Both the Primp Minister and the Minister of Finance protested with some warmth the criticism that was levelled against tlio Government's proposals 011 this score, and of course, they were justified in resenting the suggestion that the Dill discriminated against the small man in favor of the big man. Sir Joseph Ward explained more than once during the course of the debate that while Australia and Canada were paying 4i per cent, for their loans and exempting investors from income tax New Zealand would be simply inviting disaster by offering les s attractive terms. In 'this view lie was supported by Mr. Wilford, Dr. Newman, Mr Statham, Mr. Okey. Mr. Isitt, Mr. McCallum and. indeed, a very strong feeling running through the House that a higher rale should be paid to the small investor, and it is possible the Bill will bo amended in this direction, NATIONAL GOVERNMENT.

The discussion of the Bill offered many opportunities for saying hard things about the National Government, and at one stage of the proceedings -Mr. Massey was led into a good-humored, defence of himself and his colleagues. He did not believe the criticism "from all sides of the House" which had been launched at the Ministers , was to be taken seriously. ITo deprecated the idea of a general election being held during the course of the war, but was satisfied if the Government did appeal to the constituencies it would return 'with a "thumping majority." The derisive laughter that followed upon this statement was mostly affected, but behind it lay a pretty general feeling that circumstances were making Ministers a little too independent of both parties. To-day tho Vigilance Committee is again considering the propriety of establish - ing an official opposition.

ALLEGED WASTE. Tlio contribution of Dr. Thacker In yesterday's debate was another sweepin;: indictment of the administration of the Defence Department. The member for Christclmrch East has reiterated his charges against the Department so frequently without producing any very obvious results that they have begun to lose 301110 of their sting; but on this occasion his indictment was supported by A[r. Parr and Mr. \V. 11. Field, two prominent lleformers who would not speak lightly of the services of one of their leaders, and, in a measure, by an admission from the Prime Minister himself. Certain waste was inevitable in wartime, Mr. Massey said, but everything was being done to keep it down. The stories of waste which is not being kept 'down are as prevalent now as they were two years ago, and there is a growing volume of opinion in the House favor - I able to the appointment of the hoard of supervision suggested by the f-v- ober for Vtidett. ' " . ■