PROHIBITION

Dominion, Volume 18, Issue 193, 10 May 1924, Page 8

PROHIBITION

ALLIANCE DEPUTATION TO PREMIER W A STRING OF REQUESTS TWO-ISSUE BALLOT PAPER ADVOCATED i 'A big deputation of prohibitionists of both sexes, representing all districts from the North Cape to Awarua, including representatives of the churches and temperance societies, was introduced to the Prime Alinister yesterday by the Hon. J. B. Gow, M.L.O. Tho president of the New Zealand Alliance (Air. J. Boyds) said that they had several important matters to put before Air. Massey, to which they hoped he would reply. 'Air. Alassey: Do not expect me to reply too much. (Laughter.) The abolition of the alcohol traffic, continued. Air. Royds, appeared to be more desirable than ever. The Alliance did not desire it until the majority of the people said so, but they were of the opinion that a fair expression of the will of the majority was not being obtained under present methods. “Combined and Determined.”

The Rev. J. Dawson (general secretary of the Alliance) said that never before were prohibitionists so active, combined, ana determined to fight this evil, and they realised that the Premier could face this great question as he had others in the past. The Dominion was organised as never before, and if the true expression of the people could lie given at the next poll, the result would be to the delight of everybody who had the cause at heart. They had noticed that there was to bo legislation next session. What they asked for was a two-issue ballot paper, without the third issue which had never received sufficient public support to justify its inclusion. Although polls on the liquor issue had been taken for thirty years, no unfettered vote had been given, questions such ns ,the threefifths majority, compeft*®’ tion, etc,, having always interfered. A now roll should be . made on the polling booth area principle, so that people who lived in, say, Ngaio., could not vote in any other district without an absent voter’s nermit, the vote to be recorded at Ngaio. Enrolment should be made bv the Government’s officers, and should bo made compulsory. He asked that the provision in the Finance Act. permitting a Customs official to give a permit for a brewery depot, be removed from the Act. .He urged that there sTiould be no separation of tho licensing and legislature polls. A strong plea was entered for the stricter observance of the 1884 pact with the natives of the King Country. He asked that there should bo no extension of the time between liquor polk? beyond three years In the event of prohibition being, carried, after a fair trial, they wished it quite understood that thev were prepared to agree that the 1918 Act should be. amended so ns to admit of the ouestion again being placed before the public, as they fully realised that tlm question was one that only tho will of the majority of the people should be allowed to decide. A further request was that there be no further redistribution of licenses and that no facilities in regard to hours be granted that could not be subject to the strictest check. While the bringing in of six o’clock closing had saved the country thousands of pounds, they were aware that the law was being evaded, and it had boon openly stated that it was impossible to keep that law on the West Coast. Tlioy urged a full inquiry into the administration of tho law in this respect. New Legislation Expected. Tho Premier said that he could not reply extensively to their questions, as ho was leaving bz the express for tho north. They need not expect any very important expressions of opinion on the subjects raised before the next session, as it would not be fair of him to tie the hands of Government in any way. Ho quite expected that now legislation would come before the House next session. .So far as a new roll was concerned, it rather appealed to him, as it would enable starting with a clean roll every election, but it entailed a tremendous amount ol work. “When we soe how tho House is going,” said Air. Alassey, “and if there is to be a general election (it does not rest with mo; lam as strongly opposed to an election as anyone in the country, and. if it is possible to avoid it I am quite willing to assist in that direction), we may see what can be done in that matter, but it mav be forced on the House. As regards compulsory enrolment, I will look into it, and if I determine favourably, may • take action, but I do not know sufficient about it to make a definite statement now. Separate Polls Favoured. “I have not changed, my opinion a little bit that the holding of the two polls on the one day has a very detrimental effect on the election of members of Parliament, and I know that as the result last election several good, members lost their seats, and their services wore lost to tho country. I think it is better to taka the polls separately. A dcpubationistl: . A second poll would be very expensive. Alt. Alassey: We had a second poll some time ago, and I do not think the expense was very heavy. In regard to the extension of the term between the polls, there is an idea that it is not necessary to have a Parliamentary election every throe years, and so the licensing poll is also extended. I will not express any opinion on that, 'out will leave it to Parliament As to the other questions, they will be coming up then. I told you I would not tell you very much. As regards the administration, of the laws I think you have had fair legislation and straight legislation. That cannot be denied. The 6 o’clock closing proposal (I do not think 1 made many friends by it) was mine, and I did not make many friends bv the doubling of the duties on spirits and wine.

To a questioner, Mr. Massey said that the ballot question would bo dealt with when the matter came before Cabinet, but ho preferred to reserve his own personal opinion. He misdit bo ablo to. seo. most of those present before legislation was submitted to Parliament.