No Signs Of Licensing Bill In House Yet

Northern Advocate, 30 August 1948, Page 5

No Signs Of Licensing Bill In House Yet

(From Our Political Correspondent) WELLINGTON, Mon. —There is no sign of the Licensing Bill although it is expected this session.

Legislators for generations have always been diffident about licensing and gaming questions, which cut across the track of parties and may divide their friends unless diplomatic skill and caution are shown.

The only firm promise likely to be given is that the electors should have full opportunity of deciding the important questions themselves.

That is the position with the parties today, but the Government, which has the responsibility of submitting a referendum or legislation to the .House, appears to be experiencing much difficulty in getting agreement within its own ranks.

time-consuming job on the licensing measure.

The most outstanding issue in the Gaming Commission’s report was that of legalising off-course betting.

It set out a method and its clear-cut recommendation makes the legislation easier than in connection with the licensing law complications. It can be confidently forecast that the off-course betting proposal is to be submitted to the electors for their opinion before Parliament is asked generally to overhaul the gaming legislation. Albanian Purge

It was anticipated that the licensing points would have been finalised a week ago but the Government caucus was brief and no progress made. According to unofficial reports, however, the Prime Minister (Mr Fraser) has definitely promised the legislation for this session, and has also satisfied the principal parties, including the hotel workers, that they will be given the fullest opportunity of considering the proposals before the House begins to legislate. STEADY PLODDING

BELGRADE Sun, (10 a.m.).—The Albanian Premier (Colonel-General Enver Jodja) has ordered a widespread purge of Communists sympathetic towards Yugoslavia, says the British United Press correspondent. Three thousand have already been arrested.

Meanwhile, the * Government plods steadily on with its own programme, and there is a feeling that it intends to secure all the legislation it needs before commencing what might be a