FROM THE MODERATE LEAGUE

New Zealand Times, Volume LII, Issue 12211, 8 August 1925, Page 7

FROM THE MODERATE LEAGUE

TENURE AND OTHER QUESTIONS Mr W, Perry, of the Moderate League, said: I nave been deputed, as one of the speakers at this deputation, to place before you more particularly the views • held by the New Zealand Moderate League. As you will be aware, that organisation was formed in 1914—over eleven years, ago—for the -purpose of providing for the great third party—the moderate public—an organised and articulate voice on the liquor question. We believe that our efforts have resulted in turning the thoughts of many of those who .have the best interests of the Dominion at heart from prohibition to legislative reform in the direction of more efficient control, as the true solution of : the liquor question ip this, country. We feel that we can safely claim to have materially assisted/in saving New Zealand from being subjected to the hazardous experiment of prohibition. That prohibition is a hazardous experiment is Shown by the present position in the United States, where, after five years, the position in regard to crime generally and also to - drunkenness is infinitely worse than it was in 1919, before prohibition came into force. In ippori of this, I beg ,to call your attention to this chart, compiled from figures published By the Anti-Saloon League. Another signficant fact is that the Anti-Saloon League of lowa issued a report to the Press on May 6th of this year -which , declared- either . the State and Federal liquor must Tie enforced “with utmost rigidity” or the people of . lowa “must face possible modification” to permit wines and beer. This report from the official prohibitionist organisation of the State went oil to say:— “Violation of the prohibition lawk' in five Mississippi valley cities ranges from almost open sale of intoxicants over the bars of saloons to numerous ' canned heat jugs/ in lieu of something better.” We have received scom* of letters from citizens of the United States indicating that similar conditions prevail- all over the county- We get another lesson from LuDada. That British Dominion tried prohibition. It proved a failure. Now province after province haq' abandoned prohibition and adopted systems of !!S pI y ? I,d - r proper Government conMay I quote from a letter 'writterf to our president on June 4th last « ip on - A. L. Taschereau, Premier of Queßec, in which he said: am pleased to 1 © able to state that former opponents of this legislation are among those who acKnowledge to-day the remarkable results obtained throngh our liquor control—true temperance has been promoted under the oMration of our Liquor AcV and yon will realise how far-reaching has been the success of our liquor control if yon take into account that several provinces of our Domini i have lately followed our example." analysing the position When, in 1914, those of ns who had .taken up the Moderate League movement, came to analyse the position, we found Bqveral separate and definite causes for the unfavourable .features surrounding our Imenfdug system in New Zealand. The first was the insecurity of tenure: created by the'constantly recurring triennial poll. The second was the fictitious values 'created by trafficking in licenses. The third was the lack of direct and specialised departmental control. The -fourth i was the limited powers given to the elective licensing committees. , " -■ , There were other minor points that I will not delay . these proceedings with; hut will inform you of our suggested remedies for the faults that we claim are the chief causes of trouble in this matter. . With regard to tenure: _ It is cbvious that the- iear of extinction must have a bad effect upon the individual engaged :n the business, He is foroed to consider his financial position and yield to the necessity of making profits* rapidly. We feel that you, as a pra-ticaf man, realise with us, that this insecurity as to the future in many cases mainly responsible for abuses oil the part of licensees. Your Parliamentary committees have evidently pome to that conclusion fpr they have recommended that the term between polls should be extanded to nine y< Witli regard to trafficking in licenses that is another point upon, which, the Parliamentary Committee has made a practical recommendation, to the effect that transfers should not be allowed under three years except in oases or ill-health, death or other special .circumstances, If ibis is, earned , l ®to law it will mean the stabilising or tne business. Every man who enters into possession of licensed 1 . premises will know that he has to remain in possession for at least three years and that he cannot sell out at an advance on his price to someone else. It will mean that the licensee will become a more stable element in the local community, and will more nearly approach the. hotel-keeper or inn-keeper of past days. In conjunction with the reorganisation of the licensing authority and the extension of its powers; this proposal will; mean a great protection to the public, from the effects following on licensee* entering into, the business under impossible conditions. FULLER POWERS Now with regard to .the licensing authority, w© hold 'that it should have fuller powers to investigate the terms and conditions under whioh licensees are to occupy premises. It should have the right to refuse to grant a transfer or renewal if ilj is satisfied that the conditions are prejudicial to the conduct of the business in the publio interest. But, sir, we hold that such sweeping powers of investigation and veto should only be given to a judicial body, and because of this we suggest that the Dominion should be divided into licensing districts in such manner that three

stipendiary magistrates would constitute a permanent licensing committee for. each district.". We,hold that a body with authority to exercise the direct powers that wo believe would be effective in improving the standard of the business should not' be subject to - the influence of popular election. " I beg to hand to you the whole of our proposals; but there is one more important' point that we ,cannot stress too strongly. That is the need for the setting lip of a special department or a' branch of an existing department which 'slrnll be specifically oharged with the duty of supervising the manufacture; importation, and sale of alcoholic liquors, and all matters in connection with the laws relating thereto. We are most firmly ot the opinion that the successful administration of the laws governing the existing system of private ownership depends entirely upon specialised control by a central head. - With regard to the third issue, we firmly maintain the claim of the moderate elector to an issue of reform as between prohibition and continuance, and we join with the promoters of corporate control in asking that the proposal be substituted on the Btllot-paper for the present third issue of State purchase. We would point out that at the last three polls the third issue held the balance of power.. It was distinctly . a vote against prohibition ; and it indicated that a considerable number of the electors -desire a reform of' our licensing system. We feel confident that if corporate, control is placed on the ballot-paper that it; will appeal to the people of New .Zealand aa a measure fully as effective^(is complete State ownership so far as control in the interests of temperanoe js concerned. Let me saym conclusion that in 1922 we were definitely promised licensing legislation, and we hold that the promise then given should be fulfilled. We are confident that the Parliament that fearlessly deals with this question in a practical and comprehensive manner in the interests of true temperance will earn the heartfelt gratitude of the people of this Dominion.