NO DECISION YET.

Auckland Star, Volume LVIII, Issue 273, 18 November 1927, Page 8

NO DECISION YET.

LICENSING BILL'S FUTURE.

EARLY-MORNING MEETING.

PROHIBITIONISTS AND THE

PREMIER.

VIRTUAL ULTIMATUM REPORTED,

(By Telegraph.—Parliamentary Reporter.)

WELLINGTON, this day.

There were so many rumours circulating in the Parliamentary lobbies this morning concerning the Licensing Bill and its prospects of being seen again this session that any diligent investigator could hear whatever he wanted to hear, and yet not arrive at the truth. However, several members on the Prohibition side are confident that the bill will be brought on again on' Tuesday or Wednesday of next week.

Yesterday the Prime Minister was busy with meetings concerning licensing, and there was an important gathering in the early hours of this morning, after the House rose. Details of what happened are, of course, jealously guarded, but it is reliably stated that the Reform Prohibitionsts who helped to carry the ' bare majority" decision told Mr. Coates in straight-from-the-shoulder terms that they expected him to allow the bill to be called on. Words were not mixed, and it is said that what members said to their chief amounted almost to an ultimatum. A committee consisting of Messrs D. Jones (Ellesmere), J. Bitchener (Waitaki), and C. E. Bellringer (Taranaki), was set up to confer with the Prime Minister after he has met the other side. Another similar committee has, it is reported, been set up by the other side,

This morning Mr. Coates was besieged with callers, and telegrams are flooding in from all parts of the Dominion.

Although this morning's conference lasted till very late, no final decision was arrived at, but when the gathering dispersed everyone was on friendly terms. The Reform prohibitionists say that no decisive statement can be made till the interests of the other side have been considered, but they are confident of ultimate success.

An official statement by the Prime Minister Is awaited, and there is a possibility of its being made in the House this afternoon. "

The resentment of some members was Incurred by the fact that Mr. Coates moved Bimply "to report progress," and did not add the Words "with leave to *sit again." Till the matter had been discussed the Prime Minister's action was taken as an indication that no-more would be heard of the bill, and consequently every effort Is being made to Induce him to bring it-on. Apparently the prohibition members outside , the Reform party are not directly interested in the representations.-

In an interview to-day, Mr. Coates gave no indication of what he intended doing. regarding the Licensing Bill, but said he would wait a few days for developments.