THE LIQUOR BILL.
NEITHER PARTY SATISFIED
(SPECTAE TO "THE PRESS.")
WELLINGTON, October 10.
The prohibitionists are not satisfied with the new Liquor Bill, and, taking all things into consideration, they would—so the Rev. F. W. Isitt tells me—prefer the existing law to the iatest proposals of the Government. Mr Isitt says the great objection of the prohibitionists' party is the abolition of local option, and the substitution of provincial option. This proposed change is likey to introduce the worst features to be found in the American Prohibition States. There would be greater difficulty in enforcing the law under provincial option than under colonial option. The law- would be enforced through the customs under colonial option, and this would be more effective than, enforcement by the police over a limited areu. Mr Isitt says there are other serious defects in the measure, but most of them might be dealt with in Cummittee.
The Wellington brewers (according to the "Post) are not satisfied with the Bill. This much was gathered* ?>y a represent at ive of the "Post." in the course of conversation with several brewers.
"We don't, want th. Bill :it is no good at all." was the emphatic'declaration of one brewer; while another bemoaned the fact that the brewers "had been handed over to the wolves."
"The Bill," he added, "sets the licensee and the broker against us, and strengthens the position of oar inveterate enemy, the prohibitionist." The provincial option, too. is not regarded with favour. "It- is too risky," observed one astute brewer, "we can organise and fight in tite cities, but we cannot do the same in the country districts."
The brewers find consolation in the general opinion that the Bill is only intended for show purposes__ and will not bs forced through Parliament this session. Many things may happen between this and next .session. At all events, the situation could not well be worse than it is, and mighteasily become a great deal better.
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Bibliographic details
Press, Volume LVII, Issue 10784, 11 October 1900, Page 6
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328THE LIQUOR BILL. Press, Volume LVII, Issue 10784, 11 October 1900, Page 6
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