THE LIQUOR BILL

Lyttelton Times, Volume XCIV, Issue 10780, 18 October 1895, Page 4

THE LIQUOR BILL

We are afraid that the conference between the two Houses of Parliament, which was arranged yesterday, is not likely to result in a satisfactory settlement of the differences of opinion that prevail with regard to the Liquor Bill. The Council has unmistakably made up its mind to destroy the measure, and no reasonable concessions from the House could turn it from its purpose. It is well, however, that the responsibility for the destruction of the Bill should be placed upon the right shoulders. Every Conservative newspaper, that is independent enough to touch the licensing question at all, has made strenuous efforts during the past few days to show that the Premier is insincere about the matter, and that he has all along relied upon the Upper Chamber rejecting the reforms he has piloted through the Lower House, We do not profess to be the keeper of Mr Saddon’s conscience, or to be in possession of confidences that are withheld from other organs of public opinion, but we have very good reason for believing that the Premier has fully realised that nothing less than his Bill will satisfy the electors, and that he is really anxious to place it upon the Statute Book. The days have passed, in this colony at any rate, when anything was to be gained by a public man in making terms with the brewers and hceaLtal victuallers, and even if Mr Seddon were impelled

interest bo would make every effort to get this question, out of the way before the general election. The plain fact is that a majority of the Legislative Councillors are alarmed by the prospect of popular control of the liquor traffic, and have determined to resist any further concession to the people. Their submission is only a matter of time—probably of very short time—but for the moment they are masters of the situation. The duty of the House at the present juncture is obvious. It should refuse to entertain any vital amendment in the Bill it has adopted, and should leave the Council to take the consequences of its obstinate obstruction. The mutilated remains of the measure would be worse than useless. They would simply complicate a law that is already far too cumbersome, and give the opponents of reform an excuse for further delay. It would be far better to allow licensing legislation to stand where it is than to accept the miserable measure that has been offered to the country by the Council.