LIQUOR LAW.

Press, Volume LXI, Issue 18545, 21 November 1925, Page 17

LIQUOR LAW.

REFORM DEMANDED. LETTERS TO PRIME.MINISTER. The local branch of the X.Z. Licensing Reform Association has supplied us with copies of letters recently exchanged between the Association and the Prime Minister. Writing to Mr Coates on November Oth, Mr R. A. Armstrong, the secretary of the Association, said: — ''lu response to a request from our tranches throughout the Itominion that this Association should deal promptly with the situation arising from the result of the recent licensing poll, the Dominion Executive met to-day for the purpose of examining the position, when the following resolution was carried:— j "(a) That the Prime Minister be I requested to take early steps in preparation for the fulfilment of the promise given by him before the election, viz., on Augnst 7th, that if the Party of which he was leader were returned to power, legislation would be introduced in the next session of Parliament. l '(b) That the universal defeat of < Prohibition throughout, the Dominion synchronises with the sweeping victory and return to power of the Party led by the Prime Minister. "(c) '1 bat the great increase in the vote for the middle issue of State Purchase aud Control as between Prohibition and f'ontinuanee, is a clear indication to that the people desire reform of the licensing laws, and the appeal lo the electors by this Association was made on those grounds. "(d) That the great increase in the middle issue vote is clearly a mandate to Parliament for the retention of a third issue of reform as between Prohibition and Continuance, thus protecting the francise of those who cannot conscientiously support either Prohibition or Continuance. "(e) That for over twelve mouths the people of New Zealand have had before them the definite proposals for licensing reform: as recommended to Parliament by the Parliamentary Licensing Committee, the report of wheb Committee, it has been clearly tmderstood. would be made the basis of licensing legislation, and that, therefore, the combined votes of Continuance and State control constitute an endorsement of that report. ''(f) That this Association also claims that' the vote is an endorsement of its request that the proposal of corporate control should be substituted on the ballot paper in lieu of the present issue of State purchase and control; and that as the Parliamentary Committee recommended the corporate control proposal for.the consideration of the Gov- i ernnient, any legislation introduced should provide for such substitution. "(g) That as this Association comprises the promoters of corporate control and their supporters among the clergy and laity throughout New Zealand, the New Zealand Moderate League, the Associated Clubs of. New Zealand, and i the licensed trade, the request contained in these resolutions may properly be described as the organised voice of that substantial majority of the electors who declared at the poll against Prohibition. ' ' i "The Dominion Executive feels confideut that the long-standing premise of the late Rt. Hon. W. F. Massev, as subsequently endorsed by yourself, will be fulfilled, and would strongly urge that the matter of the form and substance of a Bill for" the amendment of the licensing laws be made the subject of immediate consideration by the Government." The reply of the Prime Minister, dated November Uth, was as follows: "I have the honour to acknowledge the . receipt of your letter of the 9th instant, forwarding copies of resolutions pa'ssed by the Dominion Executive of the New Zealand Licensing Reform Association relating to the licensing laws. "In reply, I have ot inform you that I have carefully noted the representations contained in the" resolutions, and shall be glad to give them careful consideration when licensing-legislation is next under review." • To'this Mr Armstrong replied as follows on November 16th:— "Your letter of November 11th, replying to our communication:of the 9th instant, was placed before a meeting of the Dominion Executive, specially called for the purpose, when it was resolved to write you again pointing out that this Association feels justified in maintaining that licensing legislation should be treated as being among questions of the first importance in the coming session; and that, in view of the recent declaration of the electors, it should bo made the subject of special consideration by Cabinet at the earliest possible moment. My executive would be grateful to know when action in the above matter may be anticipated.'-' At' a meeting of the Canterbury branch of the Association held yesterday, .at which Archdeacon Taylor presided, it was resolved that, the action of the Dominion Executive bo endorsed and approved, and that a letter be sent from this branch to the Prime -Minister poiuting out that in the opinion of the Committee the matter should' be dealt with at once in accordance with his promise made on, August 7-th fhis year, and not left, as it has been on previous occasions, until it is too late for action to be taken during the Session.