THE LIQUOR QUESTION

Otago Daily Times, Issue 17424, 19 September 1918, Page 2

THE LIQUOR QUESTION

THE LABOUR PARTY AND TIIE ISSUES.

OFFICIAL STATEMENT BY THE PRESIDENT.

The Hon. J. T. Paul, National President ®f the Now Zealand Labour Party, lias smade tlie following statement on behalf of tho party

The Labour Party has consistently opposed the postponement ot the general election, and has determined to a-->k tho electors to pronounce against further delay. A general election carries with it a poll on Uie licensing question. Tho National Executive of tlie party has carefully considered the new position created by the rival petitions on the licencing question now .bclore the electors, it is m serious disagreement with both petitions for the reason that they are antidemocratic. The first petition issued asks for a poll on a single issue—Prohibition With Compensation (as defined by the National Elliciency Board's report, with an estimated' compensation of £4,500,000 for goodwill). That is a limitation of democratic rights, as considerable bodies of electors d&sire to vote on other issues. 'Ihe second petition asks for a poii on three issues—National Continuance, National Prohibition, and National Ownership—and demands that these issues be settled by a majority vote. This latter demand is an interference with democratic rights because it will prevent the expression oi tho people's will on this important question. For instance, if 500,000 electors voted and 248,999 voted' for one issue it would not be carried because it had failed to poll a .majority over the other two issues. If Continuance receivfd 10,000, or oven fewer votes, it would be secure under this system. With three or more issues and the simple majority vote no issue is likely to bo carried. To be carricd one issue must poll more than all the remaining issues put together. Tho Labour Party's chief mission is to protect and preserve democratic principles. It has decided to come to the aid of the electors and demand tlie settlement of the liquor question in accord with those principles.

The party has decided to issue two petitions—one demanding a general election early next year; the other demanding a poll on the liquor question on four issues— 1. National Continuance. 2. Immediate National Prohibition with Compensation. 3. Immediate National Prohibition Without Compensation. 4. National Ownership. party further demands that these issues shall be decided by preferential voting, using the single transferable vote. The adoption of this system secures the democratic will on the questions submitted, and as these exhaust the possible methods of settling this question the Labour Party's position is the only one which secures the democratic rights of the people. For that reason the Labour Party is entitled to claim that it has come to the aid of the electors.

These petitions will be accompanied by a vigorous campaign, and help from many sources is anticipated. The Labour Partv object to tho policy which keeps the people's neocssary food in cold storage. It objects as strongly to the policy of the Government which assigns all necessary domestic leg:slation and political activity to cold storage. Our country is at the crisis of its political fate, and our party proposes taking a definite hand in helping to restore democratic government.

Mr Paul stated that the petitions Vrould bo available for signature within the next few days. With respect to the issues stated in the petition on the licensing question, the object of the party was to make the' issues clear. Tho second issue on the petition—lmmediate Prohibition With Compensation—was the National Efficiency Board's proposal, plus compensation to workers engaged in tho industry. If compensation is to be paid for goodwill, then Ihe workers engaged in the industry are entitled to the same consideration as the capital invested in the business. The third issue on the petition—lmmediate Prohibition _ Without Compensation—means that if carried it would come into operation on the expiration of tho present licensee. The party anticipates the lapse of some little time before the poll is taken. The other issues were clear. Notional Ownership contemplated the purchase by the State of the plant and buildings necessary to carry on the business if the electors declared in favour of National Ownership. In an endeavour to make the issues thoroughly understood by the electors the party proposed to use the platform and the press. It "would l welcome assistance in the work of procuring signatures. It, intends to make a national appeal for funds to enable the campaign to be carried out. Tho proposals have been before the affiliated organisations for ratification, and have received endorsement. The Otago Labour Representation Committee unanimously endorsed the proposals. Hie campaign in support of the petitions will be undertaken immediately.