Local Option in the New House.

Evening Star, Issue 8406, 6 January 1891, Page 2

Local Option in the New House.

The 'Temperance Herald' has received from the secretary of the New Zealand Alliance copies of the answers received from candidates who have been returned to the questions proposed by the Alliance on the subject of local option and compensation. The ' Herald' analyses these with the following result;— Written answers were reI ceived from twenty-two candidates who are now members of the House. Of these the following declare for local option without compensation:— R. M. Houston (Bay of Islands), R. Thompson (Marsden), Hon. E. Mitchelson (Eden), W. F. Buckland (Manukau), E. Hamlin \ Franklin), Oeorge Fisher* (Wellington City), T. K. Macdonald (Wellington City), Barknesa (Nelson), T. L. Buick (Wairau), A. R. Guinness (Grey), R. J. Seddon* (Westland), J. W. Thomson (Bruce), J. Kelly (Invercargill), John M'Kenzie (Waitaki). The following would vote for local option, but would provide in some way for more or less of compensation:— T. Thompson (Auckland City) "would support legislation in the direction indicated," bat would "consider it a grievous hardship for those who have, in compliance with the wish of a licensing committee, ' erected expensive buildings' to have their licenses cancelled." W. L. Rees (Auckland City) would support the second "proposition" of the Alliance, "with exceptions," and pay comSensation from "funds to be voted by 'arliament for the purpose." W. Kelly (East Coast) would provide " limited compensation to be paid by the local authorities." D. H. Macarthur (Rangitikei) would give local option, " but with compensation," to be paid in some shape by the localities. J. G. Wilson (Palmerstou North) is not in favor of local option without compensation, bnt states that a committee can be now elected " which can shut up any house." Sir John Hall (Ellesmere) would not give local option without compensation, to be paid partly by local funds. J. M. Shera (Auckland City) is opposed to the proposals of the New Zealand Alliance; while J. Duthie (Wellington City) is "not in favor of disturbing the existing system of licensing committees, and would certainly not sgree to a right to compensation being created." From the above it will be seen that of twenty-two members from whom the Alliance Executive had received replies to their questions, fourteen are in favor of the Alliance anti-liquor policy; six in favor of local option, with some measure of compensation ; one is opposed to local option, and one would leave the licensing laws as they are. From information otherwise obtained, the secretary of the Alliance gives a list of those from whom replies to the questions had not been received, but of whom most, if not all, may be relied on to vote right when the question of local option comes before the House: — J. Palmer, D. Goldie, W. S. Allen, W. C. Smith, Sir H. Atkinson, J. Joyce, HallJones, T. Duncan, W. Hutchisonf, D. PinkertoDj, R. Moore, W. Rolleston, E. G. Wright, W. Carncroas. In addition to the above, Mr R. Meredith (Ashley), in reply to the questions of the Good Templar lodge, said he would vote for local option, and that "those engaged in the liquor traffic are not entitled to any compensation whatever." Commenting editorially on the result of the elections the ' Herald ' says :—" It will be seen that of twenty-five members, whose opinions are known and whose word is given, twenty-threo are plcdgtd to local option ; of these six would make some Bort of provision for compensation; while twelve others, who have not definitely declared themselves during the recent election contest, are believed to be in favor of the Alliance policy. They have either supported that policy in previous Parliaments, are well-known Temperance men, or (as in the case of Mr Carnoross, of the Taicri) have declared in favor of remitting the whole question of the liquor traffic to the will of the people, as declared at the ballotbox. Then we doubt not there are others, of whose opinions on this liquor question we are not informed, who, when the question comes to a vote in the House, will not hesitate to entrust those who voted them to seats in the House of Representatives with the power to declare by vote at the ballotbox whether or not they will have liquorshops in their respective districts."

♦Mr George Fisher is not very clear in bis statement regarding compensation, but " would vote lor the Scott Act," which rives the " direct veto" without compensation. Mr Seddon, in reply to the question regarding compensation, says " the compensation (ii any) allowed should be assessed," etc. t Mr Hutchison, in reply to the Ouaedin Auxiliary of the Alliance, declared definitely in favor of local option, without compensation. t Mr Pinkerton said be was in favor of local option and opposed to compensation, but declined to give a written reply to Alliance questions.