QUINQUENNIAL LICENSING POLLS

Evening Star, Issue 19222, 13 April 1926, Page 6

QUINQUENNIAL LICENSING POLLS

m O’RESAN REPLIES A TACIT CONSPIRACY ' [Per United Press Association.] WELLINGTON, April 13. In connection with the message from Dunedin published yesterday Air R. J. O’Regan replies as follows:—“Mr Paape has not really denied my statement at all. I stated to a Press representative at Christchurch that there was afoot a tacit conspiracy for a reversion to quinquennial Parliaments, and that it will develop in tho guise of licensing reform. 1 did not say the matter had been discussed. Indeed, tho absence of discussion is not the least sinister feature of the situation Answering questioners at election meetings in November last, wiio wanted to know whether they favored a longer interval between licensing polls, the Prime Minister and tho Hon. Mr Bollard gave exactly tho same replies. They favored live-year Parliaments, which would automatically involve a greater interval between tiie polls. Take these tacts in connection with others, such as the support given from unusual quarters to such well-known Prohibitionists as Sir John Luke and Air R, A. Wright, and there can he only one conclusion as to what the omens indicate. Anyhow, the Eden election contest should afford an opportunity to learn something more.”