LIQUOR CONTROL IN MASTERTON

Press, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 25206, 10 June 1947, Page 6

LIQUOR CONTROL IN MASTERTON

CONFERENCE OF LOCAL ORGANISATIONS AGREEMENT* NOT REACHED (P.A.) MASTERTON, June 9. A stalemate was reached at a conference in Masterton to-night, attended by 41 delegates, representing every town and country organisation in the district, and convened by the Mayor, Mr W. Kemp, for consideration of representations to the Minister of Justice (Mr H. G. R. Mason) on. points concerning the carrying out of trust control of the sale of liquor in Masterton. Delegates agreed that they had no mandate from their organisations, and could not reach decisions, and after several points had been discussed delegates were assured by the Mayor that when the Crown Law Office's draft of the proposed legislation for the Masterton trust was received, they would be asked for their approval, or for amendments, and a meeting of local body representatives would bear in mind such recommendations when a meeting was held with Mr Mason on June 19. No decisions were reached, and points on which only informal disc ission took place included the proposed constitution of the trust. Some delegates wanted six, others nine or 10. For the financing of the trust some favoured Government money, and some the issue of interest-bearing de - bentures. There was a measure of support for the licensing commisslon’f recommendation that a New Zealandwide authority should be set up-to distribute licences. Women’s delegates insisted on their right ’of representation on the trust The payment of trustees was elso discussed by the meeting. The Mayor quoted the Minister of Justice as saying that liquor would not be on sale in Masterton before Christmas.

FINAL VOTING FIGURES (P.A.) WELLINGTON. June 8. Final figures for licensing polls il the former Masterton no-license district on the form restoration would take were announced to-day by the returning officer, Mr A. Whitaker, as M lows:— Masterton For Trust .. 3512 Against Trust .. .. 2763 Majority for Trust .. 749 Eketahuna For Trust .. *• .. 427 Against Trust .. 634 Majority against Trust 207 Akitlo For Trust .. 96 Against Trust .. 212 Majority against Trust 116