LICENSING LAWS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 13 April 1943, Page 3

LICENSING LAWS

“A GREAT MORAL ISSUE” ROYAL COMMISSION PROPOSED BY NATIONAL PARTY.

(By Telegraph—Press Association.) AUCKLAND, April 12.

The intention of the National Party to have a survey made of the licensing laws, and of the general conduct of the liquor trade, with the purpose of introducing reforms, was announced by Mr S. G. Holland, Leader of the Opposition, in his address at the Auckland Town Hall tonight. He was confident that all sections of the community would agree with him when he said that nothing was crying out more for overhaul and reform than the licensing laws of New Zealand, and he was determined to face up to that responsibility fairly and squarely. Every right-thinking person would agree that the licensing laws were completely out-of-date and unsuited to present-day conditions. Prohibition had been rejected by an overwhelming majority of the people, but, largely because of our antiquated licensing laws, there were many evils and anomalies, demanding correction.

He therefore proposed that a Royal Commission, presided over by a Judge, should be set up to make a thorough investigation of the licensing laws and the conduct of the liquor trade, and the recommendations of this commission for the improvement of the future conduct of the trade would be submitted to the people for their endorsement.