THE WILL OF THE PEOPLE.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 11749, 25 November 1903, Page 5

THE WILL OF THE PEOPLE.

(mo— A COBBE3PONDEVT.) WELLINGTON, November 24. Dealing with the Licensing question in the course of a speech at the presentation of a charter to the Liberal and Labour i Federation at Newtown, the Premier said it had been lield over, and the people must decide it. As the liead of a democratic Government, he wished to give effect to the will of the people, and wi_hed at the Mime time the people to be really serious, and understand* what they wanted. His trouble had been in the conflict of opinions. Once the will of the people was given unmistakably, be. as head of the Government, would adliere to that opinion. He was given to understand on good authority that although Newtown was a no-license district, people were bottling beer, and vehicles were carrying in liquor as before. Tiiia was a contravention of the law. What surprised him was that those who hebithe views held by the majority of the electors in Newtown had not approached the Government, and asked that what was a contravention of the existing law should be stopped. Given absolute proof of the statements mode, he would not be the man to say that the low should not have its full and proper effect. Tlie law" mus* be observed. Let Parliament amend it if it liked.