THE LIQUOR INTERESTS.

Mataura Ensign, 2 July 1914, Page 5

THE LIQUOR INTERESTS.

DEPUTATION TO PREMIER,

PEE tJNITFn TOBRS ASSOCIATION. ' WELLINGTON, July 2. A deputation consisting of several hundred people representing the liquor interests waited on the Prime Minister this morning. The deputation was introduced by Mr Stathaim, M.P. for Dunedin Central.

The first speaker was Mr A. K. Kernot, who represented the Wellington wino and spirit merchants. He said they had come for the purpose of c«rplia«ising the dangers that threatened tho public weal and the national credit if the demands of the Prohibition Party were even favorablv considered. Tho trade contributed nearly UI.jSOIMXX) to the nub lie revenues and in view of th« fact,'that they had .tIo.OnO.OW invested in property it was felt that no 1 apology was necessary for 'placing members' views before• the Government, They claimed (1) That the people should know what new taxation its likely to beimposed if prohibition is carried; (i) that no majority less than. thrwvlifill:* be entertained; (.'I) that seven yeafk should expire before the house* wore closed under Dominion option; <U that some provision be tn.'ulo. lor those tin-own out of employment if prohibition is carried. ; Mr A. Tlankart 'Am kland Hi-ewers' Association) contended ihat the prohibitionists had nothing at .stake. They ■were-merely fighting for sentiment but :were attacking tin 1 business <:f t'l ei.r neighbors and threatening the country's commerce and the individual right* and privileges cf the people. It was* doubtful if any majority liad tlia right to dictate t*V tlie minority in re-t-ard to what it should eat or drink. Tho sneaker also complained of ambiguity in the wording ■<>!' the Do ~i- : i. ballot-paper and asked that the be put to the people in the p ,'in l terms.

Mr J. 15. Thompson, of hiv<'i .i ■. ■■ controverted the ligures (|Uol(d l». t'i" ii'i-lirense deputation as to the (lii-; •■! no-license in dry areas, claimii' • "' ■'■ their .statisti/s did not bear «-n i f claims () f the prohih'tioiiisU. Mr.l. Dcvcndge. the t'liristi-limvli ieof the Liconu'd Virtuallets' Asscciat'on, contended that ill view of the irend of nublic opinion Parliament had no mandate Iroiu tho counlrv tn abate one iotn of the majoritv required under the existing legislation.

Hi. Hon. \V. ]■'. Mas-ey replied upon the linos ol h : s answer to' tin- no-heenso dcputat'on. He congratulated the deputation upon the concise and businesslike reup'sontiition ot its views. Ho believed both sides should have an opportunity to express their vi«-ws bytli to Ministers and Members ol Par'iainent. A Bill would be placed Ifeloro Parliament in a lew- days. He honed that iliere would be no strong foelinK on piihc- side. The Bill would lie tho same as that -t hist year but the Government would consider flinendnionts. It would not hj« made a party moasip'o and fair play would be Riven to Imth sides.