LICENSING BILL COMING

Evening Star, Issue 18336, 25 July 1923, Page 5

LICENSING BILL COMING

A NON-PARTY MEASURE. SELECT COMMITTEE APPOINTED. [From Our Parliamentary Reporter..] WELLINGTON, July 24. A select committee wae appointed 'by the House to-day “to consider, in the interests of tho public and generally for its more satisfactory working, what amendments are required in the present Licensing Act.” The committee proposed by the Premier was Mr Bitchener, Mr Glenn, Mr Harris, Mr Hockly, Mr Horn, Mr Isitt, Sir John Luke, Mr Lysnar, Mr Savage, Mr Witty, Air Wright, and tho Prime .Minister. After tho motion had been moved without comment, Mr Wilford asked what was the reason for this body. A committee had taken evidence and reported last session. Licensing legislation was 'not party legislation, and he took it that the duty of the Government was to formulate the Bill, leaving it to the House for discussion. He conlld not understand the Premier setting nn another committee, and he did not think any committee had any more right to make suggestions than the, whole House. This was a “ free-for-all handicap,” and tho House could pass what recommendations of tho last committee it approved and reject tho remainder, There was no point in setting up committee of Continuance and Prohibition advocates when everyone was competent to form his own opinion. Ho presumed that the gentlemen on tho committee would have a wrangle, because it was as impossible to get oil and water to mix as to get them to agree. His advice was to introduce a Bill on the lines of tho I act committee’s recommendations, and that the resultant Bill be the product of Parliament,

Mr Isitt said he could not understand tho reason for reforming last session’s committee, on which the Temperance Party was heavily overweighted. Now it had lost one temperance man (Air Lee), whose place was taken by an exceedingly moderate gentleman, but not a keen temperance advocate. It was a case of four to eight, and they would simply have to sit and watch what tho other men did and record their votes in protest. Several important petitions had come before the House on the licensing question. One protested against violation of the promise of the former Government that Honor was not to be introduced into the King Country, and (here was a petition by certain Anglicans favoring State, Control.

Members : No! Co-operative control. Mr Isdtt: It is the same thins—another form of State Control. He thought that, in an short a session, these Dotations could veil go to the ordinary Petitions Committee, which certainly would not be so one-sided as the Licensing Committee. Mr Pidev thought that the reason for the committee might he to take evidence on these petitions. Did the Premier intend to legislate this session, together with tho pretty big order already in hand? Licensing was the one question on which members were allowed a free hand. Mr Holland said there was a general understanding, when the last Licensing Committee reported, that it would he reconstructed this session. If legislation had to be passed this session, and legislation relating to the control of (he trade war, needed, tho session should bo continued for this purpose after the Premier’s departure. Mr Holland concluded with the humorous suggestion that possibly the best committee would be a committee of two—'Messrs Isitt and Lvsnnr. fLaughter.) “And make them sit till they come to an agreement,” he said. Mr A. T. Ngata suggested that, as tho Native viewpoint had to be considered in connection with the King Country petition, a Native member, preferably Mr Henare, should be on the committee. It might be a case of Europeans using a section of the Natives for their own purposes. Mr Massey replied that he would have no objection to adding a Native, member later. Ho bad no int ention of making the measure a party one. Members would be entitled to vote as they pleased. His object, in sotting iro the committee was to deal with tho petitions presented to tho House, and he had promised a deputation that this wmdd bo done, and last session’s Licensing Committee was appropriate. Mr Isitt : Very very one-sided.

Mr Massey ; “T am prepared to put that right if the balance is too strong in any nno direction,” He added that he doubted whether a Bill could ho passed this session ; but it could ho trot into legislative shape, and considered next session, after evidence had been taken by the committee. There was nothing ulterior or Machiavellian in his purpose.