THE LICENSING BILL

New Zealand Times, Volume LIII, Issue 12538, 30 August 1926, Page 7

THE LICENSING BILL

TO COME BEFORE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES THIS WEB POSITION VERY DttICATE i ! ' DISCUSSION PROBABLE, BUT DIVISION UNLIKELY There is scarcely any doubt that the Licensing Amendment Bill will come before the House of Representatives this week. There is very keen interest in the measure, and members are well armed with wads of amendments drafted by the various interests outside the House. It is expected that there will be a debate on the Bill, bat that the measure will not go to a division. The position is more delicate than is generally realised. If the measure is allowed to go very far the Prohibitionists are certain to win a victory they have been planning for some time. They have a huge majority In the House, and if the Bill reached the committee stage they could do what they liked in the way of amending it. It is said that over fifty of the House are pledged to the Prohibition Party. This means that that number gave such pledges at the last election, but among the number are those who will find difficulty in keeping the pledges. It is the object of the Prohibition Party through its representatives in Parliament to alter the ballot paper by deleting the middle issue—State Control —which, at last election, showed an immense increase. There has been circulated in the House a paper containing amendments, which Mr J. Bitchener (Waitaki) proposes to move to the Bill in committee. Mr Bitchener proposes that there shall be only two issues to vote on, viz., National Continuance and National Prohibition, without compensation; Prohibition, if carried, to take effect on June 30th following the election. ■■■■■