The Guardian And Evening Star, with, which is incorporated the West Coast Times. THURSDAY, JULY 12, 1928. LICENSING LEGISLATION.

Hokitika Guardian, 12 July 1928, Page 2

The Guardian And Evening Star, with, which is incorporated the West Coast Times. THURSDAY, JULY 12, 1928. LICENSING LEGISLATION.

There is the usual speculation afoot in regard to possible licensing legislation. Mr Coates is more or less pledged to again produce a measure, but after the experience of last session he is sure to be more circumspect in the procedure. It is believed that the Reform Party as a whole has been consulted as to the scope of the bill, if not something of its main provisions in the direction of a compromise. Doubtless Mr Coates was wise to that extent, for he would not be looking for a rebuff from his own party and colleagues again. Various suggestions have been put forward on the main proposals covering tlie issues to bo included in the ballot paper, and the majority requisite to carry an issue. These of course are the main essentials of the whole question. If Mr Coates varies the issues by reducing the number to two, which would cut out State Control, he will of course offend a great many of moderate opinion who are also Reformers. The Control party' claim that they are making advances at each poll, and quoting Canada, make out quite a good case for those who believe in a middle course as a means for solving the licensing question. The anti-Prohib'i-tionists are now favouring the retention of State Control as a. means to an end—the retention of liquor. The two combined have out-voted prohibition in the past, so that Mr Coates will be taking a questionable step if he feels disposed at this juncture to drop State Control. On the question of the majority’ there could be some concession in lieu of the State Control issue but on this point the prohibition supporters have been hitherto in strong opposition. To compromise on the majority issue the anti-prohibitionists will be expecting a good margin to satisfy them, and if Mr Coates goes too far in that direction the hill will be killed. On the whole it would be well, now that the next licensing poll is so close at hand, to leave the issue as it stands for another expression of public opinion. The people have had another three years to study all that is involved, and should be all the better prepared for an expression or an indication of the public views. In the interim many new electors have been enrolled. Many fresh voters have come of age, others have been new arrivals, so that to the former vote will he added a leaven of fresh opinion, and the whole might give the new Parliament icjea of what is required by

the people. It is the public who have to be legislated for, and in tlie following session the subject could be tackled with an immediate knowledge of what tlie national vote has indicated.