THE LICENSING COMPACT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVI, Issue 14237, 7 December 1909, Page 7

THE LICENSING COMPACT.

MEETING OF THE TRADE. LEGISLATION URGED. [BY TELEGRAPH. —SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT.] Wellington, Monday. The representatives of " the trade" will meet in Wellington to-morrow morning to discuss various matters affecting them. The principal object of the meeting is to consider the position which has arisen owing to the proposed alteration by the Nolicense party in the compact which was recently entered into between the two parties. According to a prominent representative of the trade the new proposal by the Nolicense party on the subject of ballot papers is one to which the trade cannot possibly assent. It is not improbable that a proposal may bo made at the meeting to the effect that the Prime Minister be asked to give effect to his promise to introduce a Bill this session. One of the leaders of the No-license party stated that the party had not heard anything since it notified the Government that it was prepared to ratify the compact with the exception of that portion which relates to the ballot papers. "If the agreement- is ultimately dropped, do you expect any Bill this session?" he was asked. The reply was that if the Government did not bring down a Bill, the party would probably ask that the Bill introduced by Mr. Laurenson should be pushed forward.