LIQUOR POLL IN KING COUNTRY

Press, Volume LXXXIX, Issue 27193, 10 November 1953, Page 10

LIQUOR POLL IN KING COUNTRY

Legislation Likely This Week

Keen debate EXPECTED (From Our Own-Reporter) WELLINGTON, November 9. A measure that is likely to prove the most controversial in the present session of Parliament—the Licensing Amendment Bill, the main object of which will probably be the holding of a combined European and Maori poll on the selling of liquor in the King Country—is expected to be introduced in the House of Representatives this week. The bill was considered by a caucus of Government members late last week. It was intended to introduce it on Friday, but the adjournment of the House as a mark of respect to the late Mr R. Walls (Opposition, North Dunedin) prevented this. A combined European and Maori Soil on the question of the sale of quor in the King Country, to be held simultaneously with the General Election next year, has been promised by the Government. To satisfy those who claimed that a “sacred pact” was entered into by the Government and Maoris in the 1880’s to prohibit the sale of liquor in the King Country, the Government recently commissioned the Parliamentary Historian (Dr. A. H. McClintock) to investigate the whole matter. Dr. McLintock’s report, tabled in Parliament a fortnight ago, says that no such pact existed. This cleared the way for the Government to go ahead promised legislation. When the bill came before last week’s caucus, however, it was found that a number of Government members, said to be 12, indicated that they could not vote for it when it came before the House. Some' of these members bold strong views on the liquor question, and would adopt a similar-attitude to most liquor legislation. Others? and particularly at least two members elected to marginal seats at the 1951 election, gave a pledge at that time to vote against any such proposal. Now that Dr. McLintock’s report has said that no pact ever existed, these members find themselves in a quandary. Several left Wellington on Friday with the intention of explaining the position during the week-end to those in their electorates who urged them to give their original pledge. Nevertheless, when the last tally was taken on Friday, the Prime Minister (Mr Holland) found that he could exSect about 37 Government members > vote for the bill and 12 against it. The fate, of the bill therefore could rest with the Opposition, which has yet to indicate its attitude.