LICENSING IMPASSE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19798, 19 November 1927, Page 10

LICENSING IMPASSE.

SEEKING A COMPROMISE. efforts of. prime minister. "SEIZED OF THE POSITION." CONFLICT ON MAJORITY ISSUE. [by telegraph.—special reporter.] WELLINGTON. Friday. An intimation to the general public that he was fully seized of the position with regard to the Licensing Bill impasse and that he had requested committees from the opposing factions on the question in the House of Representatives to meet him to see if some compromise could be reached was given by the Prime Minister, Mr. Coates, in the House to-day. Mr. J. A. Lee (Auckland East) suggested the Prime Minister would be interfering with the will of the House if he reintroduced the Licensing Bill. "I clearly intimated to the House ii Committee that I desired progress in order that I might consider the position," said the Prime Minister. "I also said I hoped and believed there were possibilities—l may be wrong—of bringing about some compromise. I have asked those in this House who are in favour of a bare majority to appoint a committee to meet me and I have also indicated to those who think differently to do the lame, in order to see how far I may be able to go with that compromise. That is the position at the moment, and I will decide after I have thought it out. "May I say also that the public outside Parliament seem to be somewhat perturbed," the Prime Minister continued. "I would like to assure them that it is quite unnecessary to send telecrams. I am quit© seized of the position."

Mr. T. M. Wilford (Hutt): They are circulars; we are all receiving them. The Prime Minister: The descent of an avalanche of opiifion in one direction may sometimes prejudice a man's mind. Mr. W. D. Lysnar (Gisborne): It is only the propaganda of the no-licence people. The Prime Minister: The telegrams have not come from one source only. There is only one man who can decide I what is to be done. lam just indicat- ! ing to the public generally that I am seized of the position. Mr. Coates said he believed members in the House opposed to him on the question and in the method of settling it would grant him that he had clearly interpreted their minds and also those of the people outside who had telegraphed to him. Messrs. D. Jones, Adam Hamilton and C. E. Bellringer have been appointed by the prohibitionist party in the House to meet the Prime Minister to discuss with him matters in connection with further proceedings in connection with the bill. The other side has not yet appointed representatives to meet the Prime Minister.