PROHIBITION PETITION

Taranaki Daily News, 26 October 1918, Page 6

PROHIBITION PETITION

iO-—— ' in- 'I ; fPP.PESEXTED to me. massey. Li:i;k-i....Vi'K>X Tu BE LROI^IIT mv/x. __;_ '_. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, (Jot. "-.". I deputation cor.sistjng 01 about •>>'/; | ;'L-pi\-'.cntii:g ma jus-iiojitfe «au=c Mrtn:.'.i on Mr. MiJisey aci tr.'i- Joseph V- ar,l ai Ll>o Parliament JL!uii,l.ijiys tais morning for tiie purpose of presenting a petilion bailed by in Habitants of liic f'oniiiiroii asxing that a poll be taken on the liquor question on the oasis of the recommendations of the National laiicienev Hoard.

Mr Isitt, M.P., introduced the deputation, and the petition was presented by the ltcv. K. ,S. Gray, who said that tut for the proposal to pay compensation there would have been 300,<XH) signatures to the petition. The Pov. Mr. Bennett, on behalf of the Maori race, presented a petition containing 4140 signatures. In doing so he made an appeal to the Premier to protect tiie disappearing race from the scourge of the liquor traffic. Mr Massey, in the course of his reply, thanked the deputation for his welcome back to the Dominion and for the temperate nature of the speeches. Ho was perfectly satisfied that the deputation was moved by unselfish motives and that, die speakers meant all they said, the leaders of the movement _ were nwave that the Government was last year approached by a deputation, and both Sir Joseph Ward and he explained their position clearly to the House. He rlid not remember his exact words, ,but he had indicated that something should be done to place the whole liquor question on a more satisfactory footing. He was siill of the same opinion. He wished In make it clear that be was out for ■rijfo'.nv wherever reform was possible. At the same time it must be understood that there were other petitions, forward - m! from Labor and from the trade, all of which, he had no doubt, would he numerously signed. Tt was absolutely impossible in deal with the details of these petitions until tliey had been before Cabinet. When that was dona he had no doubt that legislation would folfpw. because he wished to emphasise that there was no desire on the part oi (he Government to evade this legislation. There was. however, other important business to be done by Cabinet and Parliament but, as soon as this was I'.ompleted, he promised them legislation nn this subject would be brought down «>.d, the Bill would receive a, straight run If he talked for a week he could not say more. He was not able to give details'as to what that legislation would be. but the deputation bad appealed to the custodians of a democracy, and they ivonhi not be disappointed Fir Joseph Ward, said lie clearly re(•ognised, after full and proper consideration, that this question could not be deferred, The suggestion to give compensation to the trade had simplified the problem so far as lie was concerned, and cleared the road so far as many public men were concerned. It would enable a clear and definite is=ue being put before Cabinet and the people, and he could nromise them bo would be prepared to jrivo the matter the fullest consideration wf.cn the, time came for Cabinet to deal with it.

y.r. Massey said lie further wished to ma:«> it cloH'.- tli.it in any stops taken fo lot. tlic public decide this question (lip men at tlio front must have due rcn=idoration. The proceeding* terminated with the s'ngins of the National Antliom and cheers for tlie boys at tlio front.