THE LICENSING ACT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVII, Issue 14531, 19 November 1910, Page 8

THE LICENSING ACT.

DEMAND FOR BARE MAJORITY.

AN ISSUE AT NEXT ELECTION.

The president of the New Zealand Alliance, Mr. Wesley Spragg, returned from the Waikato yesterday morning, and when interviewed by a Herald representative regarding tho new Licensing Act, said: "Whatever might be said in favour of the new licensing law, the three-firths handicap left it an unsatisfactory measure. It had good points, but these wore overshadowed by the undemocratic voting provision. Tho next election would be fought out on this question. "The reduction issue being deleted," said Mr. Sprqgg, "is a concession to the trade. Tho introduction of the Dominion issue is an acknowledgment of a principle which will he useful later on, even if its immediate practical value is not much. The provision for doing away with the barmaid is a healthy expression of public sentiment, as is also the raising of tho age at which youths can be supplied with liquor. Universal compulsory closing at 10 o'clock will mean much for tho sobriety of the people. Every hour a bar is closed will be a saving of money, and will promote the health, life, and happiness of the community. These latter principles are all steps in the right direction, only they should be extended so as to protect tho people for; the whole 24 hours. The removal of the brewery depots to a distance of five • miles from the borders of no-license electorates is another partial acknowledgment of principle which will have an educational value out of proportion to its practical value. To restrict and ban evil is better than to let it flaunt itself unchallenged. This is the teaching of civilisation." "With all our disappointment and dissatisfaction," said Mr. Sp«ragg, in conclusion, "we recognise that something has been gained. The way is now clear for a fight on the simple majority, the democratic majority, at the next election."