STILL ANOTHER DEPUTATION.

Patea Mail, Volume XXXIX, 8 July 1914, Page 3

STILL ANOTHER DEPUTATION.

Views of the Moderates. Sinco the opening of Parliament the Premier has been kept busy with deputations upon the liquor traffic. First of all a long procession of earnest people invaded Parliament House with a veiled demand for the reduction of the present three-fifths majority required to carry prohibition. Then came a trade procession with its speeches and plead-i ingSi Mr Massey closed the week with the comforting assurance that so far as things had gone he had very little chance indeed of satisfying either party. Comfort came to him on Monday morning in the shape of a deputation of moderates who practically asked him to leave matters alone and to consider the great mass of moderate people who hold no extreme views either way. They suggested leaving the three - fifths majority as at present. The speakers were Messrs Menleatb ami Hareourt, well known Wellington jiosidcnts. Mr Massey followed the course adopted at other deputations. He refused to be drawn into any definite promises beyond the fact (hat their representations should be placed before Parliament. He had looked into the matter from all points of view and felt it bis duty to let Parliament express its views. He admitted '.he question of revenue had to be considered as if t'.o- money at present paid in taxation upon alcoholic liquors /--■was taken avmy "it would have to be . up by other tuxes. He was glad to T"s„ e people of m<)dp-«**p views fating an •3 1 toreLt iiipi-lm’ MV ir-. ta ll y -•1 tn :i.h had 1 It *> p r- v-' u eyt/cim views-