LICENSING BILL CRITICISED

Northern Advocate, 10 November 1927, Page 6

LICENSING BILL CRITICISED

D 1 PEER ENT VIE W-POIN TS. ALLIANCE DISSATISFIED. WELLINGTON, This Day,

The standing committee of the New Zealand Alliance issues a statement in which approval is expressed of the Premier’s assurance that Parliament would be left to thresh the matter out, but it is disappointed in provision of' a two-issue ballot paper, which is stultified by provision of the 55-per cent majority to cany prohibition and reference to the six years poll. The Alliance has always seriously opposed any extension of time between polls. Details of the proposal in regard to a national restoration poll was receiving careful consideration. The Alliance opposes the proposal to extend the hours for permissive sale of liquor in dining rooms of hotels until ten o’; clock at night, and also of any removal of control from licensing committees to the police.—Press Assn.

THE .STATE CONTROLLERS,

WELLINGTON, This Day.

The Dominion executive of the Licensing Reform Association resolved yesterday that the Association expresses its amazement at. the iniquitous proposal contained in the LivensBill for deletion of the third issue, thereby 'disfranchising a large and rapidly growing body of thought in the Dominion, and on behalf of moderate electors calls on Parliament to resist this violation of the principles of democracy. Further, that the Association expresses its regret that a proposal of corporate control has found no place in the Licensing ‘Amendment Bill, and respectfully urges its inclusion by way of an amendment to the Bill, as providing a sound and practical method of controlling the licensing system in the interests of true temperance.—Press Assn.

PROSPECTS OF BILL,

ATTITUDE OF MEMBERS. It is generally understood' in Wellington, writes a correspondent, that there will be a majority in the House of Representatives favourable to the two issues at the licensing poll. This majority is variously estimated at from three to six. The prohibition members claim that there will also be a majority in favour of in fifty-fifty poll, but this is not so eertaiuj If there is a. likelihood of the prohibitionists carrying these two important amendments, the chances are that the supporters of the trade will do the stonewalling in committee. There are some members who are pledged to a three issue ballot paper, but who would vote for a it wo issue ballot with a 55 per eent majority. The “State Controllers” also would, be prepared in many cases to abandon that issue if

there was a certainty of carrying the

lifty-livc per cent poll. Another phase of the question is that not all the members who are pledged need adhere -to the strict letter of their pledges in view of the alternatives provided in the bill.

AIR COATES COMMENDED, GISBORNE, This Day. I That elimination of the third issue can only have the effect of disfranchising a large number of electors, but that the provision of the od per cent, majority and extension of the tenure to six years are very wise proposals, is the opinion expressed upon the Licensing Amendment Bill by Archdeacon Williams, President of the New Zealand Licensing Reform Association. The Archdeacon commended the action of the Prime Minister in personally accept-! ing responsibility for drafting the bill, adding that it -was infinitely superior to last year’s measure.— Press Assn