LICENSING LEGISLATION

Evening Post, Volume LXXXVII, Issue 43, 20 February 1914, Page 8

LICENSING LEGISLATION

MR. MASSEY'S ATTITUDE. THE BILL IN ITS PRESENT FORM. s (DV TELEGRAPH.— PREPS ASSOCIATION.) AUCKLAND. This Day. The Prime Minister (Mr. Massey), in reply to a, deputation, said he had no prejudices himself on the subject of licensing, but he supposed nine out of ten members of the House were pledged to vote in a certain direction on this question. Though a Bill might be introduced by the Government, there were even members of the Government itself pledged to vote for the three-fifths majority, and they would vote in accordance with their pledges. He understood there were a number of members pledged to a certain majority on the national issue and to a different majority on the local option issue. All he could promise was to submit the representations made by the deputation to the Government. He was very strongly of opinion that the Government would adhere to the Bill in its present form and leave it to members to make amendments in Committee. He would not say it was impossible to deal witli a half-holiday for hotels in the Licensing Bill, but it would be most unusual. Tli* Government had not considered this issue He would submit the representations to Cabinet. The deputation represented the Presbyterian Assembly of New Zealand. It was stated that it represented the whole of the Presbyterian Church— about 230,000 people. , They asked that a 55 pct 1 cent, majority should determine both National Prohibition and National Nolicense; also that these two issues be kept separate ; and that the hotels should observe a weekly half-holiday. .Mi. Massey said a Bill giving the 55 per cent, majority on national prohibition had been circulated. Aftfir careful consideration, and after hearing the views of various members of the deputation, ha advised them strongly to leave it at that.