THE LICENSING LAWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19419, 30 August 1926, Page 10

THE LICENSING LAWS.

PROPOSALS FOR REFORM. ISSUES ON BALLOT PAPER. [by telegraph.—press association.] -WELLINGTON. Sunday. The Dominion conference of delegates from branches of the New Zealand Licensing. Reform Association was held here yesterday. The Ven. H. W. Williams, Archdeacon of Waiapu, Dominion president, presided. .j. The annual report expressed the Jiope that the Legislature would see its w£y to have the issue State purchase and control placed more clearly before the electors. The br'oadmindedness of the association's determination not to seek pre-election pledges from candidates was stressed. The chairman said that if the third issue was removed from the ballot paper there should be a substantial and not a bare majority required before a change could be made. Tpue temperance in New Zealand would be achieved only by a determined effort of moderate people.. A resolution was passed protesting against the; endeavour of the prohibition party to dragoon Parliament into deleting the middle, issue from the ballot paper. A resolution was passed expressing keen disappoinment with the Licensing Act Amendment Bill now before Parliament, and asking :the Government to embody the proposals of the special Parliamentary Committee which in 1924, after an exhaustive examination of the question. It was decided to urge on the Government the desirability of substituting the proposal known as corporate oontrol for the existing third issue State control, thereby providing electors with a sound practical proposal upon which to'exercise their franchise. CRITICISM OF THE BILL. PROTEST BY CITY CHURCHES. Protests against certain aspects of-the Government's Licensing Amendment. Bill, were, entered by the congregations of a number of city churches last evening. The principal denominations concerned in the protest were Methodist, Presbyterian, Baptist and Congregational. . At a number of chufches the resolution took the following form: —"This congregation emphatically protests (1) against the non-inclusion ofa provision for a twoissue ballot paper,- in the Licensing Bill now before the House, (2) against-any provision for extending the time between, tlie polls and (3) against the action of.the Government in making provision favourable to the liquor trade and' in disregarding important representations by the Prohibition party." : Other resolutions were drafted on similar lines. In practically all cases they were carried unanimously.