THE LICENSING LAW.

Auckland Star, Volume LVII, Issue 213, 8 September 1926, Page 9

THE LICENSING LAW.

SUGGESTED CONFERENCE. rtEW OF BEFORM ASSOCIATION CONDITIONS STIPULATED, fly Telegram-Press Association.) WELLINGTON, Tuesday. A special meeting of the Dominion ,viutive of the >'ew Zealand Licensing S:e wart on behalf of the Government regarding a suggested coherence oi the decided to write to the Prime Minister stating that the associaton had from the outset been willing to enter into any reasonable discussions on He subject of reform of the licensing laws and would be glad to take part in any conference having for its dennite object the framing of legislative _ proposals for improvement and reiorm. The executive made it clear, however, that the association firmly held that any contemplated legislation should deal only with practical reforms of the licensing law for the purposes mentioned and that no interference with the franchise at present held by the electors should be toierated. . The association would take part in the su w ested conference only on the clear understanding that the whole of the proceedings be open to the Press and that an undertaking be given that in any le°islation resutling from the conference the right of moderate electors to declare for a "middle issue between continuance and prohibition, as provided by section 74 of the Licensing Amendment Act, 1918 be rigorously safeguarded and maintained.

THE LICENSED VICTTTAIXERS REORGANISING THE TRADE. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, Tuesday.

At a recent conference of the licensed j victuallers of the Dominion held at Wei-1 linTon a reorganisation scheme was de- ■ tided upon, and in future the organisation will be known as the United Licensed Victuallers of New Zealand. j One of the principal objects of the • change is to bring in all those connected with the retail branch of the trade, in-: eluding owners of licensed premises, who ; are not licensees, and lessees. By means of the consolidation it is anticipated that j much can be done to improve the condi-; tion of the trade. It is the intention ! to organise thoroughly all the individuals embraced by the new organisation, and lor this purpose Mr. Percy Coyle has teen appointed official representative, with full executive authority. The following are the officers for the ensuing year: —President, Mr. A. Rose (Canterbury); vice-presidents, Messrs. P. Brodie (Auckland) and J. MeParland (Wellington); executive, Messrs. P. J. i Griffin (Wellington), R. Marshall (South Canterbury), M. O'Brien (Otago and' Southland), W. Keller (West Coast,' South Island) and A. Harris (Marlborough and Nelson), W. Devine (West Coast, Xorth Island), B. Aislabie (East: Coast, North Island) and J. Griffin! (Auckland); hon. treasurer, Mr. .T Colt- ! man (Wellington).