LICENSING POLL.

Grey River Argus, 12 December 1928, Page 6

LICENSING POLL.

New House. FAVOURS BARE MAJORITY. SAYS N.Z. ALLIANCE. WELLINGTON, December 11. At a meeting of the executive of the New Zealand Alliance* the Presi dent, in his opening message to the Executive, dealt with the position as revealed by the vote at the recent licensing poll, after which discussion indicated complete unanimity in the decision to carry on the campaign for the abolition of the liquor traffic, the question of method being a matter for further consideration. It was stated that a summary of the attitude of M’s.P. indicated that a majority of members in the House of Representatives favoured a licensing referendum being decided, to be made by simple majority, the referendum to be taken every three years. In general, it was stated that the present House was more sympathetic to this policy than the last House while a few strong supporters of the Alliance policy lost their seats. A number of new members had stated their intention <|f .supporting an amendment to the licensing law. which would permit the licensing re ferendum to be decided by simple majority vote, and in addition, a number of the strongest opponents lost their scats, so that the Alliance could view with satisfaction, the position in Parlament.

A report wag submitted on the position in the Ashburton no-license district, which is now absorbed in the electorate of Mid-Canterbury and Teniuka. and thereby loses its identity as a no-license district. The general secretary explained that while it was like ly the Ashburton Club would resume selling liquor under its charter. no hotel licenses could be granted in the district, as the Ashburton electorate had not voted restoration, but had been absorbed in licensed districts by the change of boundaries. Mr Herbert Hoover, President-elect of the United States, in response to a message of congratulation from the New Zealand Alliance, replied by let ter. couched in the following terms: “I am grateful for the message. I would be glad if you could convey to your Association my appreciation for the friendship and good wishes which it conveys to me.”