LICENSING QUESTION.

Press, Volume XLVIII, Issue 14409, 17 July 1912, Page 9

LICENSING QUESTION.

MR MASSEY'S REPLY TO A . DEPUTATION.

NO GOVERNMENT BILL THIS

SESSION

(PRESS ASSOCIATION TEtEUKAM.)

WELLINGTON, July 16

A deputation numbering about thirty people, representing th c New Zealand Alliance, waited on tho Prime Minister (tho Hon. W. F. Massey) this evening. Tho speakers were tho Rev. W. J. Comrio (chairman of the Alliance), Messrs A. It. Atkinson, G. uarson (Wanganni). and It. A. Wright. Tho deputation a«kcd for tho reduction of tho three-fifths handicap (which they said "was intolerable), stricter administration of tho law in the King Country; one brewery one license, this involving tho abolition of depots; tho enforcement of 10 o'clock closing and Sunday closing; an amendment of tho law which now allows the employment ot unregistered barmaids in private bars, by providing for ono license ono bar; a fresh poll to be taken on tho licensing question if a dissolution takes place ono year after a general election; electoral reform providing for purging of tho rolls and tho prevention of. tampering with ballot papers. The deputation asked that tho Government should embody tho foregoing amendments in a bill during this session, or failing that, that a Bill dealing simply with tho majority question be introduced.

In roply, Mr Massey said thero was no chance of tho Government Drinking forward a Licensing Bfil this .cession, except to meet tho point raised regarding barmaids. But if a private member brought down a Bill dealing with the whole question, the Government would place no obstacle in its way. As to tho King Country, tho European population was increasing there co rapidly that the timo was coming when tho population of that district must have tho right 0 say y eg or no concerning licenses. His Government would administer tho existing laws strictly and impartially. Porsonally, he ' was quite unpledged on tho question of tho throe-fifths, majority. As to tho request for on" license ono brewery, in ordor to abolish depots, ho would require to make enquiries into that phase of tho question. . . ■ The deputation heartily congratulated Mr Massoy on his recent success. ■