LICENSING REFORM

Dominion, Volume 20, Issue 256, 28 July 1927, Page 3

LICENSING REFORM

ANNUAL MEETING OF ASSOCIATION “CORPORATE CONTROL . THE REMEDY” The annual coui'ereuce of the New Zealand Licensing Reform Association was held in Wellington yesterday. It was attended by about 80 delegates from all parts of the Dominion. The Ven. Archdeacon Williams presided. Apologies for absence and conveying good wishes to tlie conference were received from Archbishop Redwood, Dr. Richards (Anglican Bishop of Dunedin), and the Rev. P. T. Williams (Auckland). The president, when welcoming the delegates, said that the circunistauees bad changed very little in the last year. There was an assurance that there would be a Licensing Bill this year, and lie hoped that it would be framed ou lines of reform. The ■ measure which was introduced to Parliament a year ago had caused great disappointment. One of tlie only differences ho could see in the position this year and last year was that the prohibitionists were more blatant than ever in claiming that they bad secured a majority of the members of the House of Representatives. Prohibition, however, had not a majority in the country, aud if the members of Parliament reflected die will of the country dm prohibitionists would be in a minority in tho House. The prohibitionists were inakiim a big effort to eliminate from the ballot paper the middle issue, but this would result in the disfrancliisein'ent of many thousands of voters who were as much entitled to express their opinion at tlie ballot box as were the prohibitionists themselves. It could not be overlooked that .at the last poll 56,60!) people voted for the middle issue. He believed that the Trade as it stood at present was in serious need of reform, and that Corporate Control provided tlie remedy. Ito looked upon prohibition as an invitation to disaster such as had overtaken America. Corporate Control was not sufficiently understood, but briefly it meant State control without State expenditure. Successive Governments had failed- to deal with (ho question here in a statesmanlike manlier, and until it was handled in such a way (here would be no solution. At present an attempt was being inmle to reduce the question purely to politics and leave statesmanship out of it altogether. ((Applause). The Rev. G. Gordon Bell, M.A. (Auckland) moved: “That this conference reaffirms its conviction tliat the corporate ciTntrol proposal provides a sound and practical solution of the liquor question iu New Zealand, nnd strongly urges that it be submitted Io 1 the electors as an issue at future polls.’’ The mover said (hat, despite the insinuations of the Prohibition Party, Corporate Control was a scheme evolved by his colleagues and himself and supported, by people who were ei:ti»cly disinterested oxceptvfor the welfare of the country. He believed there was also a largo section of the trade which desired reform, men who thoroughly disliked to seo drunkenness, ami who wculd welcome legislation which would improve tho present conditions. The law as it stood to-day did not make for impi-ove-nients, and a change for the better could not bo hoped for until drastic changes in tho licensing legislation were effected Tho association was utterly opposed to the policy of prohibition, which, experience showed, was uo remedy lor the evil of alcoholic excess. They were also opposed to the continuance unreformed ci (be present licensing system. They contended that Uornorato-Control would be an effective remedy. The Rev. J. F. Fcron (Rangiora) seconded the motion, which was carried unanimously.

A Protest. The following resolution was moved by Mr O. Balk (Dunedin): “That this conference on behalf of the moderate electors of the Dominion emphatically protests against the suggested disfranchisement of that rapidly-increasing body of electors, who, being unable to support either prohibition or continuance, require a middle issue for tho recording of their conscientious votes at the licensing poll, and calls upon the members of the House to resist tho attempt that is being made by the New Zealand Alliance to dragoon Parliament into surrendering the principles of iustice and democracy. Mr. Balk said ho resented the attempt to take away the middle issue. He felt that New Zealand had a great deal to learn in the handling ,of the drink question. lie had spent a good deal of time on the Continent, nnd was of the opinion that things were better managed there Though he was a tea merchant, he would like to see tho drinking of light wines ami light ale encouraged, as lie thought New Zealanders drank too much tea. Prohibition was au American prroduct, very like another American product—jazz. Prohibition wr.s no more a virtue than jazz was music. (Laughter and applause.) , .. ~ Tlie seconder of the resolution, Mr. T Hobson (Mayor of Levin), described the attempt to remove the middle issue as nothing otlipr than an effort to disfranchise at least 56,000 people. What was wanted was an opportunity to reform the licensed trade. If .prohibition were carried, the prohibitionists would not want to knvo any more polls on the question, but they would not • suggest that when prohibition was dereated Hieie should be a cessation of polls Tlie resolution was carried unanimously. . , . , Comprehensive Legislation. Dr. J. U. Collins (Gisborne) moved: "That, in view of the abandonment of prohibition in Canada aud other coun-tries-that have experimented with the system, this conference respectfully urges upon tho members of tlie legislature a recognition of the grave danger of placing Aew Zealand in such a position as would 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.” Dr. Collins said, that it was beyond question that New Zealand needed fresh licensing legislation in the direction of reform, but legislation would be absolutely useless unless it was comprehensive in nature. The prohibitionists were to blame for the present state of affairs in regard to New Zealand hotels, as little could be expected iu the way of improvement while the present insecurity of tenure existed. The association deplored tlie activities of the prohibitionists ou tlie oue hand and the hopeless lueptitude of Parliament on the other hand. The constant repetition of the polls was an annoyance to the people, and apparently the prohibitionists hoped tliat thov would make tlie public so sick of the question that they would at last vote prohibition to get rid of the triennial struggle. The prohibitionists were reiving on a process of attrition. What was needed in tlie Parliament of the country to-dav was a man of great courage to'bring "down legislation of a comprehensive nature Rev. E. L Malden (Christchurch) seconded the motion, and said that Canada, like America, had tried prohibition and had found it a failure, but being British tiad done awav with a system which was a negation of freedom. The motion was carried.

Election Pledges. Mr. D. M. Findlay, president of the New Zealand Moderate League, who was received witli applause, touched on lite question of election pledges. Ho iiioveu; 'That in view of the continued political activity of tnc prohibition party amt the imminent uauger ot Parliament l.ccoming controlled by an outside organ isation, this conference, while regretting* being forced by resulting conditions, to take definite action in self-defence, authorises the Dominion executive, if found necessary, to prepare and establish m every electorate throughout the Dominion an organisation lor the purpose of ensuring tliat every elected candidate will enter Parliament free of all pledges except those required by his <wn political party." . Mr. Findlay said li thought the resolutions emphasised a particular danger which was present to-day. The prohibitinni/ts claimed tjiiy lms.l ill Rarl (Ttiuant'

manv pledged members as a result of political prohibition organisation. Why had we the temporising attitude of the Government in regard to comprehensive legislation? Because of political pressure from the Prohibition Party. AX liy was it the prohibitionists were so busy trying to eliminate the third isue? Because they were afraid of its growth. These activities of the prohibitionists had to be answered. The association did not want to ‘go ■ into tho political field all. They only wanted to prevent men - being pledged, not to get pledges from Tho seconder of the resolution, Mr. M. A. Carr (acting-president of the asoeiated clubs) said he thoroughly agreed than an organisation of the kind was essential to combat tho influences of the prohibitionists. He had examined the resolution carefully to see that it did not involve his organisation in politics. That point was clear. The proposed action was merely to protect candidates from being forced into giving pledges. He believed an organisation of the kind proposed could be quite nompolitieal and yet effective. . , . The resolution was unanimously agreed to. The annual report and financial statement were adopted. The Ven. Archdeacon Williams was reelected president unopposed, and was heartily thanked for the excellent work he had done in the movement. . Archdeacon Williams said he wished ho were in a position to do more. He felt that the association stood for temperance, and for the best interests of the country. , . .. Mr. D. M. Findlay was re-elected vicepresident, and MT. R.. A. .Armstrong organising secretary. High tributes were naid to the excellent work done by each gentleman. -