THE LIQUOR QUESTION,

Gisborne Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 3295, 14 August 1911, Page 7

THE LIQUOR QUESTION,

TRADES COUNCIL WILL 8E NEUTRAL. LABOR DAY PROCESSION TO BE FREE OF POLITICS. The attitude to be taken by the local Trades and Labor Council on the question of No-license was a subject raised on Saturday evening at a meeting of that body, when a letter was received from the Hotel and Restaurant. Employees’ Union on the subject. The letter stated that the impression was current that the 'Council favored Nolicence, and in fairness to their Union they desired the attitude of the Council defined.

Mr Batchelor said that three years ago he understood that the Council had in their procession a lorry containing children, with emblems flying “Vote for Purity’’ and “Remember the Children.” Doubtless this was how the impression got abroadMr Duncan stated that the Council had always adopted an absolutely neutral attitude on the question of Nolicense. He moved a motion to that effect. Mr Coleman said the .matter had also been mentioned to him. Several members of the trade had been under the impression that because the Council had supported for the Borough Council the late Cr. T. Jackson, who was a No-license supporter, that body favored No-license. He had replied stating that as Unionists they did not consider a person’s views on the liquor question when supporting a candidate for the Borough Council; but selected him solely on his views on Labor questions. He would second the motion. The motion was then put and carried unanimously. The letter from the Hotel and Restaurant Employees’ Union further inquired if the Council were allowing displays by political bodies, also trade displays in the procession on Labor Day. Mr Bartlett said they were only too pleased to have trade displays in the procession. A display by a political body, however, was a different thing. He did not believe in displays by the prohibition party, nor by the license party. A display by the .manufacturer of drinks —intoxicating or otherwise — was simply an exhibit- of a tradesman’s wares, and not for the purposes of promulgating party feeling. He moved that no political party be allowed to make a propaganda display in the procession. Mr Batchelor stated that if the Nolicense party were allowed in the procession, his party must also protect themselves. Mr Nasmith stated that the motion, as framed, would prevent the Labor party making a display. It should be amended to protect themselves. The motion was amended to debar any political party, other than the Labor party, taking part in the procession. On being put the motion was carried unanimously.