THE LICENSING BILL.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXV, Issue 217, 10 September 1904, Page 3

THE LICENSING BILL.

A SUDDEN COLLAPSE. FIGHT m COMMITTEE PROMISED. (By Telegraph—Parliamentary Reporter.) WELLINGTON, this day. The political game is full of surprises, but one of the greatest ever sprung on an unsuspecting House occurred yesterday afternoon, when "the Licensing Bill, on which at the lowest estimate a twelve-hour debate was anticipated, was allowed to pass its second reading on the voices immediately after being called on, and without addition to the brief debate of the previous evening.

Several members who were anxious to publish abroad their opinions on the bill were absent from the Chamber when the bill was rea*shed, and none of those who were present seemed anxious to talk. Everybody expected Mr T. E. Taylor to step into the breach., but the senior member 'for Cbristiehureh was. not inclined. He had written a note to the effect that the Prohibition Pa-rty was strong enough to maintain silence, and he acted up to this belief. In the moment of hesitancy, while everybody was waiting for everybody else to rise, the bill slipped through. Then smiies broke out all round, none broader than that which illuminated the face of the Premier, rising to move that the House go into Committee on the Estimates. He said, ''It is always the unexpected that happens," whereupon Mr Taylor chipped in. "It shows what we think of your bill."

The Premier, disregarding the interruption, said, "It leaves mc to infer that we shall deal with the matter more fully in Committee," and again Mr Taylor interjected, promising the Premier that the Prohibition Party would deal ■with the matter very effectively at that stage. The Premier said that the House had got over the first fence very satisfactorily, and the omens were propitious. He had expected a very late sitting, and as an incentive to members to cut their remarks as short as possible, had promised to take no moTe business that night. He would not be expected to keep that promise, but if a fair amount of business was transacted the House would rise early. A shout of laughter followed this unpromising =promise.

Mr Taylor, in the course of a lobby conversation, stated that the Prohibition Party was in no way displeased with what had happened, a statement which was confirmed by Mr Geo. Fowlds.

Mr Fowlds remarked that there would be a warm light in Committee, and he anticipated that the No-license Party would be able to knock out sufficient clauses to induce the abandonment of the bill. Although not dismayed, the parly was certainly quite taken aback by Ihe accident, and the Rev. Mr Isitt probably expressed its cheerfully-concealed regret by openly deploTing that a lot of good and useful matter which had been prepared would not now find its way into "Hansard."

PROHIBITION LEAGUE RESOLUTION. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) CHRISTCHURCH, Friday. Tl*e Christchurch Prohibition League to-night carried the following resolution: "This league regards the Licensing Bill as totally opposed to the temperance sentiment of the people of the colony, as expressed at the last local option poll, and urges members of the House to oppose its passing by every possible means; it is also of opinion that in order to prevent a recurrence of the Bruce and Newtown difficulties, there is urgent necessity for passing the Local Elections Amendment Bill." STATE CONTROL ADVOCATED. NELSON, Friday. A largely-attended meeting was held to-night, conducted by the advocates of State control, tliere being on the platform Presbyterian, Congregational, and Roman Catholic clergy. A resolution that this meeting believes State control to be the true remedy for the drink evil, and earnestly requests Parliament to place clause 24 on the Statute Book, was declared carried by a large majority.