THE LIQUOR QUESTION

Otago Daily Times, Issue 15553, 7 September 1912, Page 4

THE LIQUOR QUESTION

MISLEADING VOTING PAPER.

ALTERATION DESIRED,

. (Pen United Pbess Association.) WELLINGTON, September 6. A, deputation representing the National 'Council of the Liquor Trade, both wholesale. and retail sections, introduced by Mr A. M. Myers, M.F., waited on tlw Primo Minister this morning. Mr Myers said that, they had recently been in conference, in Wellington, and while tiiero wcro many matters upon which they would like to approach niin they had decided to prefer only one request. • Mr Martin Kennedy, chairman of the National Council, said that while they did not like tho act as it stood they would limit their request to an amendment of the voting paper in regard to national prohibition, in order that an honest expression of opinion might be obtained at tho polk in accordance with the act. Tho present issues—" I vote against national prohibition" and "I vote for national prohibition" were misleading, and considerable confusion was caused to electors. They asked that the voting paper should bo amended to read : " L vote for national continuance ! ' and " I vote for national prohibition.'' Mr Kennedy said that ho was sure that their opponents would concur in this proposal because ho did not think they desired tegct a majority upon a "snap" vote or against the intentions of the people. If the voting paper were not altered and a vote were "taken, no matter which side won a clamour would be raised on the grounds that a number of people voted contrary to their intentions. The request, was not a partisan one, as the trade would be content to leave the matter in the hands of two disinterested parties to decide upon the wording of tho ballot.paper if the Government would introduce the proposal to the House. They did not desire to ask for a review of Uio Licensing Act because, whatever its effects may be, it would bo unfair for them to expect tho Government to attempt a general alteratiou of tho law at the present lime. The Prime Minister, in replying, said that their request-was that the reference to national prohibition in the schedule of the act slr.ultl lie made clear, lie had already stated that there would be no Government Licensing Hill this session. The "Barmaids Bill" would not bo a Licensing Bill; it would simply be a bill with the title mentioned, for -the reason thai if the Government introduced an amendment to the Licensing Act, even with tho object of making clear what was intended in the act of 1910, it would be so overloaded by amendment* in the House that it would not be possiblo to get, it Ihroiiffh. He did mil think that the Government Could do anything in regard fo their proposal this session. Before there was anv possibility of another )»H being taken, if tho Qovcrmncnt in oflico he had no doubt the position would be made quite clear. If the Government did not introduce a bill with any other object they would make the wording of the ballot paper so clear that any elector could be able to understand whist issuo he was voting for.