LICENSING LEGISLATION.

Otago Witness, Issue 3867, 24 April 1928, Page 34

LICENSING LEGISLATION.

MEETING OF ALLIANCE. REITERATION OF DEMANS, xr n W? LLINGTON ’ A P ril 21. Mr u. R. Edmond, the general secretary reported on the question of licensing legislation at the meeting of the Dominion Executive of the New Zealand Alliance yesterday. So far as he knew, he said, there was no weakening in the intention of any of their friends in the Reform group to have a Bill containing the two-issue ballot paper and the bar? majority introduced during the next session of Parliament. The meeting unanimously passed a vote of thanks to Mr Edmond for his great services, and of unqualified confidence in him as the representative of the alliance m all dealings with the Prime Minister and the Government and with members of Parliament. The following recommendations regarding licensing legislation were adopted for submission to the annual meeting, which will be held in Wellington on May 23 and 24:— In regard to the simple majority and two-issue ballot paper, the alliance repeats its demand for “ the removal from the ballot paper jf the discredited issue of State purchase and control.” Immediate legislation to ensure the operation of these provisions is desired. With respect to national restoration .meaning thereby the restoration of the conditions obtaining immediately prior to the coming into force of a determination in favour of national prohibition, the adiance strenuously opposes any provision such as that contained in the Licensing Amendment Bill, 1927, by which on the coming into force of a determination in favour of national restoration the number of licenses could be largely increased in most districts, and would he largely increased in many. In the event of any determination in favour of national restoration superseding any determination in favour of national prohibition no licenses of any description shall be granted in any. district in excess of the number of licenses of the same description that, immediately prior to the coming into force of the determination in favour of national prohibition, were in force in the area comprised in that district.

The aliance demands that it shal be made an offence either to drink any intoxicating liquor or to allow any intoxicating liquor to be consumed upon any premises licensed for use as a hall or cabaret for dancing. The alliance opposes any extension of the facilities for the sale of intoxicating liquor; and asks that it shall be made an offence to supply intoxicating liquor to any person during the hours for which licensed premises are required to be closed.

The alliance demands that no part of any licensed premises shall be permitted tc be used for the sale or supply of intoxicating liquor other than one authorised bar.

It was resolved to ask the Prime Minister to receive a deputation from the annual meeting for the purpose of placing before him the decisions of the meeting on the question of licensing legislation.