“LEAVE IT AT THAT.”

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume III, Issue 361, 21 February 1914, Page 6

“LEAVE IT AT THAT.”

THE 55 PER CENT MAJORITY

PREMIER’S ADVICE TO THE NO LIQUOR PARTY.

[per press ASSOCIATION. | Auckland, Feb. 20.

A deputation representing the Presbyterian Assembly of New Zealand interviewed the Premier this morning on the subject of legislation in the interests of temperance reform. It was stated that the deputation represented the whole of the Presbyterian Church, about 230,000 people. They asked that a 55 per cent majority should determine both national prohibition and national noticense. ' ;

They also asked that These two issues be kept separate and that hotels observe a weekly half-holiday-. Mr. Massey, replying, said a bill giving a 55- per cent majority- on the national prohibition issue bad been circulated after careful consideration and after hearing new and various deputations. He advised them strongly- to leave it at that. NOT A PARTY BILL. Mr. Massey reminded the deputa tion that if the two questions were dealt with separately in the Licensing Bill, ‘ they would be considered by he House at the same time. He had no prejudices himself, on this subject, but he supposed nine out often members of the House were pledged to vote in a certain direc tion on this question.. Though this Bill was introduced by the Government. there were even members of the Government itself pledged to vote for the three-fifths majority, and they would vote in accordance .with their pledgees. He understood there were a number of members .pledged to a certain majority on the national issue and to a different majority on the local t option issue. All he could promise was ,ta submit the representations made by the deputation .to the Government.* He was very strongly of the opinion that the Government should adhere to the bill in its present form, and leave it to members to move amendments in committee. He would not say- it was impossible to deal with a half-holidav for hotels in the Licensing Bill, but it would be most unusual.. The Goveripnent had not considered this issue. He would submit these representations to the Cabinet. --