LICENSING REFORM.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 9648, 13 November 1909, Page 6

LICENSING REFORM.

AUCKLAND OPINIONS.

By Telegraph—Press Association AUCKLAND, November 12.

Mr Gunson, secretary to a band of business men which figured prominently in the last" liceusing election, says:—"The trade has got to winward of the temperance party, and badly beaten them. Fancy people having declared that they don't want certain goods being compelled' to put up with them for five years. The same objection may be held against two years continuance after the local option has been carried." Mr Gunson agreed with the deletion of the reduction issue. Mr Spragg, president of the New Zealand Alliance, said he and some members of the temperance party would be dissatisfied at not securing a bare majority vote, but by a Dominion vote, though the effect would be deferred for five years, was a distinct gain. What had been decided was what would probably be agreed upon by Parliament if it spent a month debating the question. Mr Leo Myers, representing the brewers, said there was now a clearcut issue. The trade had always felt that if licensed houses were closed in an electorate this should be followed by "no license, no liquor." The "trade" had been unable to obtain all it desired and had agreed to a compromise.