ELECTION ISSUE SIMPLIFIED.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVII, Issue 14525, 12 November 1910, Page 8

ELECTION ISSUE SIMPLIFIED.

MR. A. MYERS'S VIEW.

[BY TELEGRAPH.—SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT.] Wellington, Friday.

Asked for his view on the Licensing Bill, Mr. A. M. Myers (member for Auckland East) said that, as the Bill made further concessions to the prohibitionists than 5 those contained in what was known as the compact he could hardly express entire satisfaction with it. Two aspects, however, of the Bill commended themselves to him. In the first place there was the elimination of the reduction issue. Having regard to the large increase in population, and the number of licenses already cancelled, the injustice of the present lav.* on this subject was generally I recognised, not only by moderate-thinking ; people, but by a large majority of those | who hold extreme views. "Then,"' continued Mr. Myers. " the retention of the three-fifths majority for the decision of any issue is, in my opinion, looking at it. from an impartial standpoint, a wise provision. For many reasons it is desirable that a substantial majority should be required to decide any important question materially affecting the habits and customs of the people, and at any rate it ensures stability. It is certainly a great step forward for the prohibitionists to have succeeded in placing the far-reaching issue ! of national prohibition on the Statute Book. The alteration that Has been made ! in the Bill, as originally drawn, by pro- ' viding that the issues" shall be placed I before the electors on two separate bali lot papers is also a great concession to the 'prohibitionists, and the majority of the other clauses are what they have been clamouring for for some years, so they should be satisfactory to those of that way of thinking. lam inclined, however, to —and I view it with satisfaction— that this Bill will have the effect of removing the licensing question from the Parliamentary arena, as it is unlikely that any further" licensing legislation will be attempted for some years. The only question that can now arise in regard to a candidate's views on the licensing question is whether he believes in simple or a threefifths majority." ________