The Daily News. THURSDAY, DECEMBER 14, 1922. THE LICENSING QUESTION.

Taranaki Daily News, 14 December 1922, Page 4

The Daily News. THURSDAY, DECEMBER 14, 1922. THE LICENSING QUESTION.

On the returns now available, the majority against prohibition at last week’s poll is actually 'and proportionately the highest since the issue was submitted to decision by bare majority, over sixteen thousand more voters favoring continuance of the liquor trade than those desiring to end the traffic. The majority of the public evidently refuse to banish the drink traffic from the Dominion, and this being accepted, it now becomes advisable to face the situation txd consider wha* can ,>e done to improve the trade. A Committee of the House last session considered and reported on the steps that should be taken in the event of continuance being carried at the election that has just taken place. That Committee was composed of men of all shades of opinion on the question, and the recommendations made may well be considered by the new Parliament, whatever it may ultimately be, at as early a date as possible. While the zealous advocates of prohibition would infinitely prefer the triumph of their cause, it. is only reasonable to expect that, as they have not been able to end the traffic on this occasion, they will be equally keen on assisting to remove the abuses. and the mam causes of those abuses. In this policy there should be unanimity on the part of all sections of the community. That, there is considerable scope for improvement in the conduct of the trade all will agree. For years past legislators have shown no disposition to handle what admittedly has been a thorny question, and the abuses have therefore continued without cheek. It can be successfully argued that the very operation of the prohibition movement has tended to entrench the Trade, with all its irregularities and shortcomings. Without any security of tenure many of those engaged in the hotel business have sought to make the most of their opportunities, caring less for the interests of the public than for the making of profits. The Parliamentary committee referred to realised the necessity for overhauling the whole of the licensing laws, and brought down some suggestions, amongst which were the following Abolition of goodwill and purchase premiums, also trafficking in leases and tied houses; basing the license fee on the amount of liquor sold; effective inspection of licensed premises and of the liquor dispensed, also the accommodation provided; licensing of barmen; power to Magistrates to record “unfitness’ against the names of persons convicted of breaches of the law; prohibiting the sale of liquor to women in public bars or rooms off such bars; granting licenses on a population basis (without any increases). It may be there will be a move to close liquor bars and prohibit the sale of liquor on the weekly half-holiday, and severe penalties provided for supplying alcoholic drink to any customer who is manifestly taking more than he should, especially in the ease of young men. It is perhaps natural'that the Trade will, in return, ask for a reasonable security of tenure, such as the provision cf a longer interval between the polls on the liquor question, as well as a provision for making the operation of prohibition, when carried, later than it now is. Whatever may be the mending process determined upon, it should be thorough, and directed to regulating the trade in such a way that it will be shorn of its evils and be made to conform with the policy of securing a sober, industrious, thrifty and efficient people. The majority of the voters having decided on continuance, it is the duty of the Legislature to see that the Trade shall be reformed. It may be assumed that the efforts of the prohibitionists will still continue with unabated’zeal, but, so long as the traffic lasts it should be conducted on lines that will safeguard the country from the e'.'ils now existing, and those engaged in it will be well advised, in their own interests, to lend all the support within their power.