THE LIQUOR PRAFFIC.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2221, 30 June 1891, Page 3

THE LIQUOR PRAFFIC.

A deputation from the New Zealand Alliance waited on the Premier to confer with him on the Licensing Bills , at ; present before the Home. Mr ~ alluded to the attitude of the Jußtice« . of the Pe«ce, wh#n cases for infringement of the Licensing Act were brought before them, and expressed a hope that the Minister of Justice would make enquiries into the matter. The Alliance was in favour of closing hotels on the election days, : and he . suggested the proposed Bill should be amended to read “ supply” -aa well as “ sale” of lipuor, He agreed with Mr Fisher’s Bill to prevent the sale of liquor to children under 12 years, and also spoke strongly in favor of Mr Joyce’s Bill providing fer the prohibition of liquor traffic by the ballot box. Mr Ballance agreed that there was a great crisis in the temperance cause at present. He was in favour of prohibition, even if took the whole of the consolidated revenue from this source, provided it was the wish of the people- He did not think the hotels should be closed

on flection days, aa with public houses open the elections of late years were becoming more and more temperate. He was not. in favor of taking away Iren the brewers the right-to own

property in tke shape of hotel*, and when persona had inreated money in property he hold they should be considered, and ha waa therefore favorable to granting compensation where licenses were taken away for no offence. Vo compensation should bo given, however, for licenses issued in future. With regard to tke option vote, he would give the people complete power except as regards compensation. He believed the temperance party in refusing compensation were taking the wrong means te attain, their end.