LICENSING REFORM.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 261, 28 July 1908, Page 6

LICENSING REFORM.

The Prime Minister no doubt gauged the position accurately yesterday when he informed a deputation from the .New Zealand Alliance that there was no chance this session of passing amending licensing legislation. The deputation expressed dissatisfaction; with a t number of features of the existing law, 'but their chief requests were the abolition of'the three-fifths majority in favour of a bare majority as being necessary to carry prohibition; and the addition of the Dominion option issue to the ballot paper submitted at the local option poll. Both those proposals involve very large issues, and the deputation no doubt wore not at all surprised when Sir Joseph Ward told them that he could do nothing in the matter this session. .Most people will agree on the hopelessness of dealing this year with the .larger questions involved, but' there are a number of smaller matters which require attention, and which might bo, pressed through pould the supporters of the prohibition movement in Parliament be relied on to refrain from introducing highly debatable amend-' ments. The difficulty is that whenever a Licensing Bill is introduced the opportunity is seized to put forward amendments either in tho interests of the prohibition movement or to bciieiit the liquor interest. It should not [be a difficult task to frame a measure which, while containing amendments necessary to remove existing weaknesses, some of which were pointed out by the deputation, would not arouse serious opposition! from either side. There is already so much ahead of members, however, and the time is so short, that it is practically hopeless to expect anything to be dorie' in the matter this session. A Bare Majority Bill, in the name of Mr. LaurSnson, appears on the, list of Bills on tho. Order Paper .of the House, but at the most this is not likely to produce more than an expression of opinion fi;om members. It will in all likelihood not even do this, for the facilities for blocking a private.member's Bill are numerous, and mfembers wouid, no doubt, be glad to avoid la vote on this question on the eve of the; General Elections.