NEW ZEALAND ALLIANCE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19349, 9 June 1926, Page 13

NEW ZEALAND ALLIANCE.

DEPUTATION TO MINISTER. LICENSING BILL NEXT SESSION. [BY TELEGRAPH. —OWN emtnERPONDENT.] HAMILTON, Tuesday. A very favourable reply was given by the Hon. J. A. Young, Minister of Health, at Hamilton to-day to representations from the Hamilton branch of the New Zealand Alliance, asking for his support in dealing with the liquor tr&<4® in New Zealand. Mr. J. R. Fow, Mayor of Hamilton, introduced the deputation and said the Alliance was engaged in unceasing warfare against the liquor trade. He made reference to the granting of a license to the Ambassadors Hotel in Auckland and said it was disgraceful tht it should be necessary for a magistrate to publicly' dissociate himself from the finding of a committee of which he was chairman. The Rev. H. G. Gilbert said among other things they wanted a two-issue ballot paper. The Minister said he had previously given assurance to the Alliance in the matter and he stood for the same principles now. He could assure the deputation that Parliament would shortly consider a licensing bill and it was practically certain that the bill would come before the House during the coming session.

Speaking of the ballot paper, Mr. Young said it was evident the peopledid not want State purchase. He perserially would rather sec a continuance of the present system than any alteration which would necessitate the Government associating itself with the evil 3 of the trade. He realised that the Alliance wanted the abolition of the trade, but this shouid only come about by the express will of tho people. So far as the general issue was concerned ho was with the Alliance, but he claimed right to exercise his own discretion required to act. He considered .-J ® although holding out for the tota . iion of tho trade it wus as we I .to •» any slight advantages' i,w''jve. employed to further ttor 0 :