LIGHT WINES AND ALES.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 198, 23 August 1928, Page 8

LIGHT WINES AND ALES.

ENCOURAGEMENT DESIRED.

DEPUTATION TO MR. COATES. SECOND BALLOT PAPER SOUGHT. (By Telegraph—Own Correspondent.) WELLINGTON, this clay.

The passing of legislation to encourage the sale of light wines, light beers and light cider, as against spirits and strong alcoholic liquor, was urged to-day by a deputation representing the .Middle Way League which waited on the Prime Minister. Strong alcoholic liquors, the deputation, urged, should be treated as drugs. The league also proposed that there should be a second ballot paper to deal with its issue. Mr. Coates, replying, said the Government was opposed to taking referenda on every conceivable question, and thought Parliament was the best place to deal with such questions. A difficult situation existed on the question of the if sues on the ballot-paper, but he was optimistic enough to hope that something would be got through this year that would clear up that side of the situation. He would consider carefully what the deputation had submitted, but he could not promise legislation this year on the lines asked for. " People Not Drinking So Much." Mr. Coates said he went a long way with those who thought there ought to be a reform of the licensing laws, and he hoped lie would live to see the day, and be instrumental in framing it, when legislation would be passed which would be of benefit to everybody. He agreed it. Mould be in the best interests of everyone in the country if they could have lighter forms of drink, but he thought that by a gradual process of evolution thev were getting to that stage. There was no doubt the people were not drinking so much to-day as in years gone by. It was not considered the right thing to drink heavily now. and the man who took liquor to excess was iirvt wanted anywhere. Mr. Coates also remarked that it was said that women drauk too much. Well, he met a number of people in different ways, but he had not noticed any evidence of this.