THE Wairarapa Age MORNING DAILY. TUESDAY, MAY 3, 1910. THE LIQUOR-NO-LICENSE "COMPACT."

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10034, 3 May 1910, Page 4

THE Wairarapa Age MORNING DAILY. TUESDAY, MAY 3, 1910. THE LIQUOR-NO-LICENSE "COMPACT."

It would seem as though the compact, more or teas entered into some months ago, between the Liquor and NoLicense parties is likely to be revived with the object of its becoming law during the life of the present Jfailiament. There is division of opinion as* to the wisdom of the step in the ranks of No-license, while it may be added that 'the trade" is by no

means unanimous in its view as to the benefits that it will derive from the "compact," This much, however, seems to be fairly clear, that the liquor party are more satisfied with the existing state of affairs than the Prohibitionists, and, as the latter are more numerous than the former, a change of some sort in the conditions of the fight may be expected. If the contending parties do not come to som«» form of agreement the hand of the Government will, no doubt, be forced. However, the deliberations of th<j No-license Convention which will meet at Christchurch in June next, should be of an exceptionally interesting character, tho Dunedin United Temperance

Reform Council having adopted the following remit for Consideration: — "In view of the fact that the No-

license party earnestly desiie legislation during the life of the present Parliament, this Dominion conventoin of the party confirms the list of minimum demands agreed upon with the Government, by its representatives, and requests the Bill, as drafted, embodying the arrangement then made, be placed upon the statute book" The Dnnedin Council, in justifying its attitude, urges that the Prohibition party la, "in the eyes of a large section of the public, bound to the compact, and csnnotdraw back without serious loss of prestige and j honour. The proposals as arranged in the compromise are good in themselves and are the best the party is likely to get." We do not think, however, that there is very much in this argument. The No-license party has always conducted its campaigns on honourable lines, and it would surely be absurd to expect it to enter into a

compact, which upon mature consideration it did not think it was ad-1 tci a.st*&& to. Ot course,! <&, tfee. ''eatmjajit" became law both I , tmt it wauid t&ea 6fl ] azteht Smmbfo IMS, iU£IS, f his, ViW« , as < «. %ciQ,4, deal a£ feeling ( in f&vaur of tbe Bangdm CovmciTa j Yj'eTf sesra? undoubted, la it* ISSOt} , 'of yesterday tne ; %«r Zes}&nct, ' Times" says that the Dunedin rsmifc J ! was considered at a recent meeting iof the Hutt No-licensa Leagus, and the proposal in tavour of abiding by j the "compromise" was endorsed by thirteen votes to six. Several of those who voted with the majority werfc among: the opponents of the "compromise" a few months back. A piornineat member of the Hutt league ia reported to tteny that it is proposed to "re-open negotiations with the liquor party." The proposal he says, is to agree to tne minimum demands stated in the compromise arranged by the Hon. Dr Findlay on behalf of the Government, with the license party on the one hand.and the No-license party on the other. Therefore, the view may be taken that the "compact" question, which had an appearance of deadness, is likely tu be a very live matter in the near future. ________«_>._____