THE MASTERTON BILL

White Ribbon, Volume 19, Issue 10, 1 November 1947, Page 3

THE MASTERTON BILL

The news of the withdrawal from the Masterton Trust ontrol Bill, of the clause relating to the sale of liquor in restaurants and tearooms has given great cause for thankfulness. Undoubtedly the emphatic protests sent from so many of our Unions, and from other quarters also, have had their effect.. That the ratio of population to the number of hotels that may be established in a given area has been reduced from 1,000 to 500 for one hotel is, more or less counterbalanced by the liberty to protest given to local residents. No hotel is to be erected in close proximity to a school, church, or hospital; any any twenty residents may, by protesting, prevent the building of any hotel in their particular area.

The statement made by the Minister that no definite legislation on the Royal Commission’s recommendations will take place before next year; and that a referendum would be taken on any major issue is welcome news. Time will thus be available for the marshalling of our forces and the preparation for a defensive campaign. It behoves every W.C.T.U. member, and friend of Temperance, to become acquainted with the viewpoint of our adversaries, as well as to be armed with our own ammunition.