MODERATE LEAGUE.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 17329, 18 November 1916, Page 4

MODERATE LEAGUE.

WORK OF THE YEAR. Tho Central Executive of the New Zealand Moderate League lias published the second annual report. Referring to the many reforms in tho licensing laws advocated by the league, the report states: — “It will be remembered that in August, 1915, a deputation from tho league placed before Government A comprehensive programme of licensing reform, including a suggestion that a Commission of Inquiry should be setup to investigate tho following matters : > “ (1) Tho efficiency of tho present New Zealand Licensing Act. “ (2) Tho liquor laws of other coun“(3) The conduct of licensed, houses and the trido generally in Now Zealand. “ (4) Tho systems of State control, municipal control, and public liquor trusts. “Tho Prime Minister was good enough to express- his appreciation of tho value of the league’s suggestions, but pointed to tho fact that war time was not opportune for handling such a highly debatable matter as licensing legislation. With this contention, so far as the major part of the proposals was concerned, tho league entirely agreed; but there arc portions of the programme submitted that merely call for the enforcement of existing provisions, and other . portions that aiav bo made effective. by regulation. During the'.rear just, concluded these nave been made the subject of further deputations and communications with tho various Ministers concerned, and the oxecutivo is pleased to inform members that, the latest replv received from the Hon A. L. Horclman, Minister in Charge of Police, is to the effect that tho inspection of liquor under Part VII. of tho Licensing Act.is now being carried out by polico officials, and that samples ot liquor taken from the hotels are in tho hands of the analysts, tho result of tho examination being now awaited. The executive is also gratified to note, from the proceedings at the annual sittings of the Licensing Benches, tho evident intention of the authorities to demand the highest possible standard of conduct of hotels. The strict enforcement of penalties- for breaches, and tho provision of fuller powers for the Police Department, under the War Regulations Act, whereby licensees may be called on to show cause why their licenses should not be cancelled for misconduct, are further portions of tho programme advocated by the league which are now taking definite form. A resume of events connected with the Early Closing Movement is given, and quotations from .correspondence with tho Minister of Defence. After briefly reviewing tho position in Great Britain and Australia, and the opinions in opposition to early closing voiced by the police and military authorities, the report adds: —ln addition, to the foregoing, the executive was influenced, in coming to a decision on this question by the previously expressed policy of the league to the effect that there should be no more tinkering with the Licensing Act,, but that The whole licensing question should be firmly grasped and dealt with comprehensively at the first favourable moment.” “ The executive of the league,” says the report, “ gave due consideration to the proposals for the suppression of the habit of ‘ shouting,’ and while having no sympathy, under normal conditions, with attempts at coercion applied by legislation to tho social habits of the people who can use without abusing they decided not to offer any opposition to the proposal in view of the evident desire of tho Government to give it a trial during . the period of the war. The officers of the league have on every occasion deprecated Hie foolish extremes to which the habit is often carried by those drinking in groups, and, while tho executive has little, faith in the efficacy of tho regulations as a measure likely to prevent drunkenness, it may have tho good effect of breaking down the false sense of it, being ‘ good form ’ to return drinks without limit, and may thus break a number from the foolish habit of excessive ‘ shouting.’ The right to entertain a friend in the manner customary heretofore is but temporarily surrendered by the moderate section, and tho executive trusts that members of the league will do all possible to assist- in having the law respected during the period of the war.” Referring to the postponement of the next general elections, the report continues:—“The executive has gratification in calling members’ attention to the recent decision of Parliament, in view of the distraction of the wav, to postpone the next- general elections for twelve months. This is a final endorsement of Hie action of the league! in 1914, when a postponement was asked for, but did not at that time mteot) with the support of parliamentarians, and should encourage members to look forward to the other proposals of the league receiving in the. near future that meed of consideration and support to which they are entitled.” , . Reference is made to the affiliation of the league with the True Temperance Association of London, of which tho Earl of Halsbury, Lord High Chancellor of Great Britain, is president, and appreciation is expressed of the loyal support accorded hy branch committees and the members generally during the past year. The financial statement shows a credit balance of £65 Is -2d on hand.