(PRESS ASSOCIATION.) LICENSING LEGISLATION

Evening Post, Volume LXXXVII, Issue 126, 29 May 1914, Page 2

(PRESS ASSOCIATION.) LICENSING LEGISLATION

PREMIER'S REPLY TO A DEPUTATION. INVERCARGILL, 28th May. The Premier received several deputations this morning on local matters, and left before noon by 6pecial train for Balclutha. One deputation from tho Nolicense Party urged upon the Premier the necessity of having the promised Licensing Bill introduced early in the sesfcion, and suggested, iv the event of national prohibition being carried, that the time elapsing before it came into opera* tion be reduced from four years to one year. They also pointed out that in the Magistrate's decision in the recent liquor case, tho Police v. V. Coleman, proprietor of the Club Hotel, there had been a good deal of indignation in Nolicense circles in connection with the matter. There was likely to be an appeal, aud should the Supreme Court uphold tho judgment delivered in the lower Court, it was suggested the law should be amended. The Prime Minister said tho Licensing Bill would be introduced early, so that every member would have an opportunity of expressing an opinion on it. Every member wae pledged to a certain course of action, and tho Bill would have a fair and a strong run. Referring to the question of the lapse of time, he stated that if No-license or national prohibition were carried, there would be a very important change in the finance of the country, and he referred to the reduction that would follow in the revenue. Four years might be too long, but anything less than two years would not be reasonable. As to the recent judgment referred to, the Government could not interfere with it, but after the appeal had gone through the Supremo Court the Government could, if necessary, introduce legislation with reference to the Act.