THE LICENSING QUESTION

Otago Daily Times, Issue 14700, 7 December 1909, Page 8

THE LICENSING QUESTION

A TRADE CONFERENCE

(Faojt Ocb Own Cobrksposdexi.) WELLINGTON, December 6. Ihe representatives of the trade will meet in Wellington to-morrow morning to discuss _ various matters affecting tliem. Hie principal object of the meeting is to consider the position which Ikis arisen wing to the proposed alteration by the Xo-litense party in the compact which was recently entered into between the parties. According to a prominent representative of tlio trade, the new propoAf.: foy t| le Xolicenso party on the subject of ballot papers is one to wliieh the trade cannot possibly assent. It is not improbable that a proposal may be made at the meeting to the effect that the Prime Minister should be asked to give effect to his promise to introduce a bill this session. Oiie of tile leaders of the No-license party states that the party hail not heard "anything since it notified the Government that it ivas prepared to ratify the compact with the exception of the portion which related to the ballot papers. If the agreement is ultimately dropped, do you expect any \iill this session'; was asked. The reply was that if the Government did not bring down a bill the party would probably ask that the bill introduced by Mr Laurenson should be pushed forward.