A SENSIBLE SUGGESTION.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 3030, 29 October 1908, Page 5

A SENSIBLE SUGGESTION.

. Among other subjects of primary interest discussed, at the conference of the Federated Licensed Victuall•ers' Association held in Perth recently, was one relating to the manurtfacture and importation of liquor into No-License districts. Under the New Zealand system, for instance, 'brewers are still able to carry on .: localities, and to. hi sell beer above a certain quantity! ■The conference, at the instigation of JMrH. J. Williams, of Mabriland, decided, "That in all districts where No-License is carried no liquor shall be manufactured or imported into such No-License district." In A moving this motion, Mr Williams remarked:— f' When No-License came into operation in Maqriland, far from r~~ consumption of liquor decreasing, % it went steadily on the up-grade, all * those who cduld afford it keepiug liquor on their premises. Mr Seddon proposed this amendment to the Licensing Act in "1904, and, strange to say, the opposition did not come from the trade, but from the antiliquor party, who saw that if the ■thing were carried to such lengths as this,they would lose a very large measure of popular support." The latter ciuse is the crux of the whole thing (comments the Licensed Victuallers' Gazette.") if there Was absolute Prohibition in fc No-License district the vote against the system would sorapidly Increase that probably at the next election it would be in favour oE t|icene.es. There is nothing like making it impossible for a man to get 'his favourite tipple in order to force him to a change of views. ?He would be no longer content not to exercise his right to the franchise. It would be well if the / friends of the Trade in the Tas--1 manian Parliament sought to have - such a provision incorporated in <the 'Bill. It would be a hardship to the brewers, but only for a time, raigfit be the means of squashTing all possibility of No-License (being carried.*- : . )