KING COUNTRY LICENSES.

Auckland Star, Volume XL, Issue 253, 23 October 1909, Page 4

KING COUNTRY LICENSES.

EXTENSION OF LOCAL OPTION./; (By Telegraph.—Parliamentary Reporter^, WELLINGTON, Friday. '• An important statement was made W the Prime Minister during the course of his speech in the House of Representatives this afternoon. Outlining the business of the session, Sir J. (f Ward said a bill would be introduced which could confer on the people of the King Country the right to gir« expression to their opinions on the liquor question. The inference to be drawn is that the people in the King Country are to be allowed the common privilege of voting on the question :of local option. -....:■.

Mr. W. T, Jennings (member for the district), speaking to your representative to-night, expressed his keen appreciation of the statement emanating ironj the Prime Minister. The member, for Taumarunui has more than once, urged, on the Government the responsibility/ of allowing the electors of the the Tight given .to the people: in oflier parts of the Dominion of expressing their opinions on the question of license , or no-license. In Mr. Jennings' opinion,, a bill giving such, privileges to '-Kingf Country electors will be gladly received by the majority of the people throughout the Roh'epotae.

NO-LICENSE PARTY PROPOSAtS. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) ;.. ■ ■ WELLINGTON, Friday. Mr. A. S. Adams, late president of the Now Zealand Alliance, aduhewed a meeting of about 30 members of libth Houses this- morning to explain, f&e. wishes of the Alliance, as expresed in the legislation to be introduced.by, Mr. Laurenson. This legislation, he"said/ would absolutely ■ prohibit the sale of liquor in the King Country, stop. thq. .-■/ sale of liquor from breweries -in. nolicense districts, and provide a Domin-. ion poll, and for the issue of lineasa 1 or no-license "being decided by a fere ' majority. ..'••. i DEPUTATION TO THE-PREMIER, f WELLINGTON, this / At the No-license deputation to. th( 1 Prime Minister to-day special reference : was made to licenses in the King Coiinr try. In replying. Sir.. Joseph Ward stated he had already intimated to the House that there would be legislation this session. Though the intention to make the district special territory as far as the Maoris were concerned shqulcf.'-..■ be carried out, the Government thought it desirable to effect a change, in adminisi' tf ation. It first thought the abolition of the recently granted wholesale license's should be effected by law, and that, prdr vision should be made for taking a local option poll at the next election. He was quite in accord with tne desire to preserve thti Maoris from the devastating effects oi alcohol: The- Alliance would have an opportunity of considering the bill when brought down. *