LICENSING REFORM

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 19064, 28 July 1927, Page 9

LICENSING REFORM

CORPORATE CONTROL URGED. ASSOCIATION CONFERENCE RESOLUTIONS. (mis ASSOCIATION TBLIOUX.) WELLINGTON, July 27. The annual conference of the New Zealand Licensing Reform Association, which was held to-day, was attended by about eighty delegates from all parts of tho Dominion. The Ven. Archdeacon Williams, who presided, said there was an assurance that a Licensing Bill would be introduced. He hoped it would be framed on the lines of reform. He looked upon Prohibition as an invitation to disaster. Corporate control would meet the needs of New Zealand. Briefly put, this proposal meant State Control without State expenditure. The Rev Gordon 801 l (Auckland) moved: "That this confe ence reaffirm its conviction that the corporate control proposal provides a sound and practical solution of the liquor question in New Zealand, and strongly urges that it be submitted to the electors as an issue at future polls." Tho motion was carried unanimously. Mr 0. Balk (Dunedin) moved: "That this conference of tho Licensing Kcform Association protests against tho suggested disfranchisement of the rapidlyincreasing body of oleetors who require a middle issue." The motion was carried. Dr. J. C. Collins (Gisborne) moved: "That in view of the abandonment of Prohibition in Canada and other countries that have experimented with tho system, this conference respectfully urges upon members of the Legislature the recognition of the grave danger of placing New Zealand in such a position as wo. .Id make it possible to plunge our happy country by a catch-vote into the disastrous conditions ' that have been shown to follow attempted Prohibition wherever tried." The motion was carried.

The following resolution dealing with the question of election pledges was also carried: "That in view of the continued political activity of the Prohibition Party and the imminent danger of Parliament becoming controlled by an outßide organisation, this conference authorises the Dominion Executive, if found necessary, to prepare and establish in every electorate throughout tho Dominion an organisation for the purpose of ensuring that every elected candidate will-enter Parliament free of all pledges except those required by his own political Party."