THE LIQUOR TRADE.

Auckland Star, Volume L, Issue 111, 10 May 1919, Page 12

THE LIQUOR TRADE.

UNDER STATE CONTROL. IS IT PRACTICABLE? AN* INTERESTING CONTROVERSY iSpecial t" "Star.") WELLINGTON, this tin.v. Sir Franc-is Bell, who drafted the Licensing Act under which the referendum, including the State Control issue, will be takcu. was asked by the Hon. 11, F. ".Vigram, of f'hristehurch, to give public information on n number ol concerning the Government's piilicv if Slate Control should he adopted. Mr. Wigram suggested that Sir Francis Bell must realise it was no light matter to surrender to a bare majority referendum the right 10 order the Government to spend some millions sterling of the people's money, and at Hie same time grant authority tor a loan of ten millions, unless lie had satisfied him-elf that State Control would prove a sound and workable measure if carried. Sit Francis 801 lat lirst replied that Ihe Licensing Act completely disclosed tie lioverniuent'.s State Control policy in a number of clauses, with many subclauses. In answer to Mr Wignim's latest criticism he declares: "It must be obvious (hat the Hon. Mr. Wigraiii was not serious when he wrote that I must have satisfied myself that State Control would prove a workable measure if carried. He has a fund of dry humour, useful on such occasions. He knows, of course. tbat. being in favour of prohibition, 1 hclieve State Control of the Honor trade would be worse than the present system, and I do not. believe the people of Now Zealand will vote for it. No one would seriously attribute to the person who drew the several issues for a popular referendum that the very fact of his drafting it proved him to believe that every issue propounded a wise policy. The Hon. 11. Wigram voted for thp bill. Hoes that prove he is in favour of prohibition ?"*