Licensing Laws.

Hastings Standard, Volume XIII, Issue 4309, 12 November 1909, Page 8

Licensing Laws.

FURTHER MINISTERIAL STATEMENT. Wellington, November 12 The Premier has given a fuller **tatement of the agreement come to regarding the licensing proposals. •'The securing of such a settlement," Sir Joseph Ward, " appeared, in the circumstances, an almost impossible task, but I asked my colleague, the Minister for Justice, to what he could do to effect this cad. For some time past, the Hon. Or Findlay has been in touch with both parties, -*nd last week he was aMe, owing 10 reasonable concessions %rin£ made, to induce each party ' independently to agree to amendments being made this year in Licensing Act." " These proposals." added Sir Joseph Ward, " have been carefully reduced to writing, and fully accredited «presentatives of each party have independently requested me to pass Vyrjglation embodying them this year and each party has undertaken to do -all in its power to promote the passage of this legislation. Tn case of any difference of opinion as to the draughtsmanship or terms of the -proposed bill, each party has bound itself independently to abide absolutely by the decision of the Attor--tiey-General. THE FINANCIAL ASPECT. Dunedin, November 11. In conversation with a reporter tonight, Mr A. S. Adams, well known as one of the leaders of the No-license movement, said that the main reason for five years'delay in National Prohibition was that, on its being carried, the whole of the Dominion revenue derived from liquor would be struck off, and, as the Minister of Finance would have to effect readjustments to the extent of £500,000 or £600,000 for a few -years until the new condition of affairs had had time to assert itself and the revenue from the increased consumption of other articles would amount to a „ sufficient sum to replace the £srerenue from liquor, it was congfridcred fair to fix such a time limit. * %be concession was, he said, valul&Me to the trade, because it would brewers and licensees time to 'dfecpose of stocks and seek new inffWcstments for capital- Mr Adams . >'jnod the bill ought to provide very iffirtUr against reckless trading by .flftoensees during the period of susin the event of No-license dag carried. In conclusion, Mr Adams spoke in terms of high praise «f Dr Findlay, who carried the thing from start to finish. SUGGESTED CHANGE. THE TWO SIDES. PER PRESS ASSOCIATION Auckland, November 11. Mr Gunson secretary of a temperance 1 Society in which he figured prominently at the last licensing election, says that the trade has got to the windward of the Tempfranee party and badly beaten them. Fancv people having declared dont want certain goods being compelled to put up with them for five years. The same objection is held against the two years continuance after 4ocal option has been carried. He agreed with the deletion of the '"reduction " issue. Mr Spragg, President of the New IZeafland Alliance, said he and some snembers of the Temperance party would be dissatisfied in not securing a bare majority vote, but the Do--ninion vote, though its effect would %e deferred for five years, was a distinct gain. Mr Leo Myers, representing the tvewers,said it was now a clear cut; issue. The Trade always felt that if licensed houses were closed in an electorate, it should be logically r fallowed bv "no license, no liquor."; He Trade was unable to obtain ail, 51k desired and agreed to the comjpromise.