LIQUOR RESTORATION IN INVERCARGILL

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 123, 19 February 1944, Page 5

LIQUOR RESTORATION IN INVERCARGILL

No Prolonged Postponement GOVERNMENT’S ATTITUDE STATED (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) INVERCARGILL, February IS. Rumours that tlie Government intended to suspend for two years the restoration of liquor licences to Invercargill, which voted their return at the general electiou, were denied today iu a telegraui from the Minister of Justice. Mr. Mason, to Mr. Frank .Holloway, chairman ot the committee which advocating municipal control of the hotels. Mr. Mason stated, however, that the Goyerument had suspended the calling of nominations for the licensing committee ou Wednesday. Mr. Holloway sent a telegram to the Prime Minister, Mr. Fraser, stating that there was a rumour in Invercargill tluiv the Government might postpone the restoration of liquor licences for two years. He earnestly requested the Government not to do this nud stated that retail liquor should be avuihible to the community by. June 30. . “Your telegram to the Prime Minister has been referred to me,” said Mr. Mason in his telegram. “In reply I have to say that there is no foundation for the suggestion that the Government may postpone Invercargill licences for two years. The Government quite understands the necessity of respecting the determination tlm electors aud giving effect to it. “The 'best means of doing this in the present abnormal circumstances involves consideration, which is causing the Government to suspend for the time being the calling of nominations for the licensing committee. This point the Government will submit to Parliament as soon as Parliament meets. This has nothing to do with any idea of a prolonged suspension and I mention it merely to vent your confounding the two ideas.” Mr/ AV. M; 0. Denham, M.P., stated today that if the Government intended to suspend the operation of the licensing laws it did not necessarily mean that nothing would be done as far as restoring ' the sale of liquor in the city was concerned.

“My own opinion,” said Mr. Denham, “is that the Government is in duty bound to obey the will of tlie people aud that temporary provision should be made, at least by June 30, to give effect to the decision of tlie majority of the electors. I am definitely opposed to the building of hotels in the city when there is such a shortage of houses and also when the position is desperate as far as educational buildings arc concerned.”