LICENSING ISSUE.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVII, 23 March 1928, Page 5

LICENSING ISSUE.

CONSIDERATION DURING NEAT (SESSION.

I BYT TELEGRAPH —PRESS ASSOCIATION.] L NAPIER, \M&reh 22. \ddressiivor .a meeting at 'Taradale tonight, Mr 0. Edmonds, reviewed the history of the licensing question duxin<T the fast session and continued: On the last day of the session a deputation of ‘dry’ members of the Reform Farty waited on the Prime Minister, when it was suggested that a caucus be held in January in order that the party might discus the question, fee far there are no indications that the caucus will be held at an early date. “From my knowledge of our movement in the Dominion there is not- the slightest chance of any departure from the principle of a bare majority on the two-issues ballot paper. We arc assuied by our friends in the Government party that the question must be considered again during the coming session of Parliament, and we are still hopeful that in 1928 a licensing referendum will be taken on the two-issue ballot paper and be decided on a bare majority vote. “If the matter is not settled dnrino- the next cession, then the question must become a vital issue at the next general election. The responsibility for this must rest on the Legislative Council, and in the main on the Leader of the Council. No .question is ever settled until settled right, and we intend to continue the fight for the right of the people to a tool i'sh the liquor traffic, bv a free democratic vote.