MODERATE LEAGUE

Evening Post, Volume XCI, Issue 94, 20 April 1916, Page 2

MODERATE LEAGUE

THE EARLY CLOSING QUESTION,

At a meeting of the central executive of the New Zealand Moderate League, I the following resolution was passed for forwarding tc Government:—"The executive of the New Zealand Moderate League congratulates the Prime Minis-. I ter and the Minister for Defence upon the manner in which by. citing military records, and by their recognition of plain facts, they have cleared the good name of our soldiers from the direct and implied accusations of excessive drinking, and having regard to the expressed disposition of Government to introduce legislation affecting the licensing question during the approaching session, resolve as follows :— " 1. That, in view of the reply to the league's questions received from the Minister for Defence, the. subsequently published figures from the military authorities, and the recent statements of the Prime Minister and the Minister for Defence, combined with the proved exemplary behaviour and sobriety of the men of our Expeditionary Forces, the evidence accumulated does not indicate any need for alterations in the present licensing regulations on the ground of military exigency, and t-h'erefore the Moderate League is of the opinion that no restrictive measures are justifiable on that ground. "2. That such questions as early closing and anti-shouting must therefore be' viewed purely from the point of view of their necessity or otherwise for the wellbeing of our civilian life and the population as a whole, and this being so, that they should be considered only as a possible part of a studied and comprehensive licensing policy, and should be made the. subject of full enquiry, in common with the suggestions • already placed before Government by the Moderate League, at such time as Parliament and the people can deal calmly and judicially with this very involved question. "3. That any proposals in the nature of panic legislation or temporary measures are dangerous and without warrant on the evidence adduced, and that alterations to the licensing law should only be made with a view to permanent reform, on proof, after thorough investigation, of their probable benefit, their efficiency, and the practicability of effective administration. " i. That it be the recommendation of the league to Government that no partial licensing legislation be attempted until the whole question can be made the subject of a commission of enquiry at such time as Government considers, advisable, with a view to formulating a bold policy of liceusing reform."