THE LICENSING QUESTION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVI, Issue 14218, 15 November 1909, Page 5

THE LICENSING QUESTION.

A DEFENCE OF "REDUCTION." VOICE OF THE MODERATES. [BY TELEGRAPH.SPECIAL ■ CORRESPONDENT.] ; Wellington, Sunday. The Government's .- licensing proposals continue to engross ■ a great deal of the attention of members. The feeling that they will not find a place on the Statute Book this ; session . seems to be growing. It is understood that unless the proposals are carried into effect during the presenr, session. the agreement between the parties will lapse. It is quite certain that the suggested amendment ■of the law is not going to be agreed to by Parliament with the readiness that the delegates from the two parties appeared to have anticipated. The "No-license .no-liquor" clause will find many opponents, whilst even the .' much-derided reduction ; issue, which it is proposed to abolish, is not without its defenders.- A member in conversation with your representative to-day... said that the people who consistently voted reduction, but did not support nolicense, had to be reckoned with. The carrying of reduction, notwithstanding all that was said against it, certainly afforded an opportunity of getting rid of badlyconducted and unnecessary houses. If, however, the new 'proposals were given effect to, every moderate would be placed , in the position of having to. give an extremist vote one way or the other. This was a position to. which moderates would object, and no doubt they would take steps to make their voices heard, if tho Bill came before Parliament. ■ ..

THE BARE MAJORITY. At meetings held on Sunday afternoon, at tho wharf and at the firebell, the following resolution was unanimously carried : —"That this meeting of citizens ofAuckland entirely ignores the unwarrantable action of unauthorised - persons in compromising with the liquor, trade, and declares that they will accept nothing less than Dominion and local option, both issues to be decided by the bare majority." i. ,