LICENSING ISSUE

Evening Post, Volume CV, Issue 6, 9 January 1928, Page 8

LICENSING ISSUE

(To the Editor.) Sir,—Your representative in his report of a conversation with me that appeared in your issue of Saturday has conveyed a. generally correct impression, although his report leaves room in some places ior inferences that might be at variance with the facts. I did nor, mention National Prohibition as the objective of the Alliance. It is, of course, the ultimate goal of Alliance endeavour." But we were discussing the two-issue ballot paper and the bare majority, and my remark was that the Alliance would h'gut on till it had attained this objective. A ballot paper of two issues, a bare majority vote, and three-year polls, constitute a democratic trinity. The three-year poll is the established procedure, but we still have to gain the other two elements of the trinity so far a.s licensing polls are concerned. The report appears to imply that possibly the forthcoming annual meeting of the Alliance will modify the existing demand for a. two-issue ballot paper and bare majority. But as the annual meeting has for several years past reiterated this demand, and the House of Representatives has approved it, I do not consider it likely that the annual meeting will make any departure from its considered decisions in this matter. The concluding phrases of your representative's report tend to give the impression that Koine members of Parliament favourable to Prohibition desire to see the Alliance policy as regards the ballot paper and majority modified. I said nothing that would justify this inference. The House of Kcpresentativcs emphatically endorsed the Alliance policy in its heavy votes in favour of two issues, a bare majority and triennial polls. I said that the Alliance could not prevent those outside, or even members of Parliament, from making suggestions and proposals, but the Alliance itself stands firm on the ground already won. Personally Ido not know of any member of Parliament favourable to Prohibition who desires the Alliance to modify its present policy on the issues' under discussion. I should be obliged if you would kindly give space to this comment, which appears to be necessary to round off your representative's notes on our, conversation.—l am, etc., ,T. MALTON MURRAY, Executive Secretary, N.Z. Alliance.