LICENSING REFORM.

Auckland Star, Volume LVI, Issue 232, 1 October 1925, Page 9

LICENSING REFORM.

• AN APPEAL TO CANDIDATES' A meeting of committee of tbe Auckland branch of the New Zealand Licensing Reform Association was held in tbe Chamber of Commerce yesterday. In the absence of the president, the Rev. P. T. lYiiiiams. Sir. H. B_ Mackenzie presided. The Eev. G. Gordon Bell ton. secretary, reported on tbe various activities of the association, and stated that he had acceded to a request to address a public meeting in Hamilton on Tuesday nest. The question of holdins a series of public meetings in Auckland was referred to a sub-committee. The following resolutions were carried: "mat this meeting erprrsses its regret that the present Parliament is closing down without having passed a bill providing for the submission of corporate control as an issue at the approaching poll; but calls attention of those electors who are no: satisfied with existing conditions to the Prime Minister's promise that legislation for the reform of the licensing laws -will be definitely dealt with next session, and earnestly suggests to electors tbe support of the present third issue of State purchase and control as a means of demonstrating to Parliament their desire for licensing reform." "'That the Auckland branch of the New Zealand Licensine Reform Association, being convinced that the only prospect 01 effective and practical licensin-s----reform lies in a free and unpledged Parliament, protests axrainst the attempt of tbe New Zealand Alliance to secure control of Parliament by candidates into givins pre-election pledges; and. while seekJn _ no pledres itself, most earnestly ursres ail candidates throughout the province to reruse to pledge themselves to any oriranisation on the licensing question."