DEPUTATIONS TO MINISTERS.

Auckland Star, Volume XXVIII, Issue 228, 1 October 1897, Page 2

DEPUTATIONS TO MINISTERS.

Wellington, this day THE LICENSING LAWS.

A DEPUTATION consisting of members of the New Zealand Alliance and members of the House waited on the Premier last night, and Sir K. Stout, on behalf of the deputation, asked if it was the intention of the Government to introduce legislation this session to further amend the licensing laws. The Premier said, taking into considera- ! tion the time liquor measures took to pass, and the work proposed for the present session, the Government had not considered the question. He would submit the matter to the Cabinet, and communicate the result to the Alliance. In reply to Mr Taylor, member for Christchurch, the Premier said the Government wore awaiting despatches from the British Resident at Rarotonga. So far as i lny in his power he would do his best to j 1 i-press and stop the sale of liquor 10 natives at Karolonga. In reply to other members of the deputation, the Premier intimated that his desire from the beginning had been that there should be an impartial and fair carrying out of the licensing law. There had been laxity, he admitted, but when the new police inspector arrived he hoped the state of affairs would be improved. NATIONAL DAIRY ASSOCIATION. The Minister of Lands was interviewed last night by a deputation representing the New Zealand National Dairy Association. which brought before him the absolute necessity for a fortnightly delivery of produce at Home. It was stated that the agents of the shipping companies had been approached on the subject, but owing to the absence of a guarantee that full cargoes would be forthcoming no arrangement could be arrived at. The Hon. J. MeKenzie in reply said he would bring the matter before Cabinet at the earliest opportunity. In all probability he would also circularise the shipping companies trading in New Zealand waters in order to ascertain if arrangements could not be made to give effect to the wish of the deputation this year. The c nnpulsory cool storage of produce, as suggested by the deputation, though it might be objected to, was perhaps the only method of guaranteeing full cargoes. RESCUE HOMES. A deputation from the Women's Christian Temperance Union waited on the Premier last night, and asked the Government to subsidise rescue homes and girls' clubs in order to cope with juvenile de- ! pravity, and also that the overcrowding of the homes of people living in cities be prevented. The Premier said the Government could not give a subsidy, and at present it had no power to deal with the overcrowding of homes. A measure dealing with the subject would be the first business dealt with after the disposal of the Address-in-Reply.