LICENSING ISSUE

Evening Post, Volume CXI, Issue 108, 7 May 1926, Page 8

LICENSING ISSUE

ALLIANCE WAITS ON MINISTERS

PRIME MINISTER SUGGESTS

CONFERENCE

TO CLEAE WAY FOR COMING BIJ.L.

A deputation from the New Zealand Alliance waited on the Prime Minister (the Eight Hon. J. G. Coates) and the Attorney-General (the Hon. W. Downie Stewart) today to place before them a number of matters dealing with licensing legislation. Various speakers of the deputation expressed opposition to any extension of the time between licensing polls, any alteration in the law which now provides that the licensing poll shall be taken on the day of the General Election, any increase in facilities for additional drinking; and they also asked that the ballot paper should be altered, to contain two issues only. In replying to the deputation, the Prime Minister stated that a Bill was being drafted for presentation to Parliament this session. He suggested that representatives of the parties interested in the licensing question should meet in conference with the Government to see on what points at issue a common agreement could be arrived at with a view of improving the licensing laws. Mr. Coates ■ stressed the urgency of holding the conference without delay in view of the early approach of the session. The deputation, which was introduced by Mr. C. E. Bellringer, M.P., was a very large one, and filled the old Legislative Chamber. The Eight Hon. Sir Kobert Stout was present with the gathering. Mr. Bellringer stated that the deputation w.as asking for a clear explanation of the position, which they desired to see free from any confusing issues. NO PROHIBITION BY LBOISLATION. Mr. J. I. Eoyds, president of the Wew Zealand .Alliance, said that their political activities had nothing to do w-ith Prohibition by legislation, to which they were opposed. They wanted to see that the people's will was clearly expressed, that no facilities for additional drinking were given, and that there should be frequent intervals between polls. The last point he emphasised because of the frequent changes in the rolls. Ninety per cent, of the people felt that there were already sufficient facilities for drinking, and in the amending legislation, therefore, It was hoped that no additional facilities would be given. In addition, they, asked that the undemocratic clause in the Act providing that no further poll should bo taken if Prohibition was carried, should be eliminated. ' They felt that once Prohibition was carried, the people might subsequently desire a change, but the present Act prevented them from giving expression to their opinion. Mr. C. R. Edmond, general secretary of the Alliance, said that that body expressed opposition to (1) Any extension of the time betwen the licensing polls; (2) any extension of licenses beyond the 30th June next succeeding the date of a poll at which National Prohibition is carried; (3) any increase or redistribution of licenses; (4) any provision for granting removal of licenses beyond the limits now permitted by law; (5) any increase in the facilities for the manufacture, importation, and sale of alcoholic liquors; (6) the appointment of licensing boards, or other authority, being substituted for the election of licensing committees; (7) any alteration to the law which now provides that the licensing poll be taken on the same day as the General Election. It was also urged that the Act be amended to give effect to the following proposals:—(l) That no alcoholic liquor shall be supplied to hotel guests or otherwise during the hours when the sale of liquor to the general public is prohibited; (2) that no licensed premises shall be permitted to have more than one bar; (3) that protection from alcoholic liquors be afforded to the Natives of the King Country in accordance with the pact made on the opening of that territory; (4) that provision be made for the conviction of any person who purchases for or supplies any youth under 21 years of age with intoxicating liquor; (5) that section 35, sub-clause (c) of the 1308 Licensing Act be amended so as to make it definite whether posters and placards erected prior to the day of the poll can remain in sight on polling day. KING COUNTRY NATIVES. On the question of the King Country Natives, the Prime Minister asked whether Mr. Edmonds thought the Natives there should have a say. Mr. Edmonds: "We have not considored that, Mr. Coates." Mr. Coates: "You believe in the referendum1?" Mr. Edmonds: "We believe in the referendum entirely." Continuing, Mr. Edmonds contended that boarders in hotels should not be permitted to obtain liquor after hours. If they required liquor, then they should buy it in the ordinary way. The law regarding posters reacted against the Prohibitionists, who interpreted it to mean that posters must be covered up before the date of the poll, whereas the other side read it in a different way, and left their posters open. The Legislature should decide the matter. It ■was urged by the alliance that the Act should be amended to provide for the enrolment of electors in the precincts of polling booth areas; enrolment of electors exclusively through Government officials; voting in the precincts of polling booth areas; and absentee voting to be by permit only. The present *aw, he said, allowed "dummy" voting. It was maintained that if a person was absent from his electorate he should only be able to vote by declaration for his own electorate instead of being able to vote anywhere. Then, again, the enrolment of electors should be exclusively carried out through Government officials. The right to vote was a sacred thing, and the people should be urged to take that right more seriously. It should not be possible for enrolments to be made through facilities placed at entrances to hotels, such as had happened before the last poll. The suggestion he was making would make for a cleaner roll. The alliance also strongly urged that the ballot paper at the next poll should contain only two issues—National Continuance and National Prohibition—and that the voting should be on the bare majority. OBJECTION TO THIRD ISSUE. Mr. W. R. Tuck, of Auckland, said that they were opposed to the introduction of Prohibition by Legislative Act, but only by the will of the people. Their objection to the third issue on the ballot paper was that as the paper now stood it was impossible to say. what the will of the people- was as between the two main issues. Secondly, the third issue had the effect of marshalling the State Purchase and Control votes on the side of Continuance. The State Control issue was really not an issue with the people at all. He questioned whether 5 per cent, of the people were favourable to State Purchase, let

alono Control. There had beeii a poor response to the appeal for support of Corporate Control. It was undemocratic to retain an issue in which thu great majority of the people were not interested. Regarding the period of four years which would elapse before Prohibition came into force, they felt that the present law was cutting away tl 3 will- of the people. It had been suggested that the time between polls should be nine years, which, in an extreme case, would lead to a period of grace of thirteen years. That would tend to force up values of licensed premises to a fictitious level. The, believed that the electors should have a perfected control over the Licensing question by the removal of the third issue. The Rev. G. Miller, of Dunedin, referred to evil effects of the drink traffic, and said that it was robbing the country of a great deal of efficiency. They believed there was a great deal more drinking going on amongst young people than there was fifteen years ago. That was why they were now asking for facilities to do away with the traffic. PRIME MINISTER'S REPLY. The Prime Minister, admist laughter, replied that so far as the politicians were concerned there was no one who prayed more fervently than he that the liquor question should be got rid of. He did not pretend to be a supporter of publichouses by any means, but everybody knew that he was not what was called a "temperance man," although he hoped he was temperate in habit. "If I said I was a moderate you would say that I belonged to the Moderate League," added Mr. Coates to an accompaniment of more laughter. It seemed that his duty was to place a Bill before Parliament, which should have the opportunity to make suggestions as to what should be done in the future. While personally he would prefer not to have anything to do with the matter, he recognised that he had a responsibility, and he did not propose to shirk it. The Attorney-General was now drafting a Licensing Bill, but as this was a question on which there was a conflict of views, he suggested that representatives of both sides should come together to discuss certain questions. No doubt Cabinet could agree to many of the proposals put forward by the deputation, but he thought that the Attorney-General proposed to ask representatives of both sides to meet with a view of seeing how many points of difference could be agreed upon before the vital ones weer reached. They knew there were many essential amendments of the licensing law required, and that these would have a beneficial effect on the community. The liquor interests had agreed with-this as being in the interests of the community as well as of themselves. If the liquor business was not being conducted in a proper manner, then it should be cleared up and improved. "While -we do have liquor," said Mr. Coates, "let us have it properly conducted." (Hear, hear.) ,The question of abolition of the liquor traffic was one entirely for the electors *to decide. The Licensing 2 Bill would not be a party j measure in any sense of the word. Mr. Coates said that he had no doubt that the Government would receive representations presenting the other side of the case. In the meantime, ho would like the executive o£ the Alliance to consider the proposal he had made before they left Wellington, as time was getting on and Parliament would be meeting in June. He hoped that the conference he had suggested would take place, with a view of bringing about improvements in the liquor business, even if an agreement in regard to the vital issues could not be reached. In reply to a member of the deputation, Mr. Coates said that it was intended to bring a Licensing Bill before Parliament this session.