THE LIQUOR QUESTION.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XXXI, Issue 10137, 25 August 1904, Page 2

THE LIQUOR QUESTION.

AN INTERESTING DEBATE,

(From our Parliamentary Reporter.) WELLINGTON, this day. The Licensing Bill is under*.tood to be m a forward state, and may be expected - to be brought down at anjearly duty. Several petitions have been presented to the House, including a monster one from Auckland, containing' 7000 signatures, m favor of discretionary power being 'given to Magistrates m regard to tlie endorsement of licenses. In this connection it may be mentioned that arrangements have just been completed for a two nights' debate at the Opera House on September 15 and 16 between the Rev. F. W. Isitt and Mr W. W. Collins, of ., Cliristehurch; The points at issue liay-e.not been finally decided, but it is anticipated that Mr Collins will affirm tliat prohibition is an encroachment' with tlie liberty of the subject, and tliat prohibition.' is a failure. A committee of tliree appointed by each side, will decide the subjects 'for debate. The prohibition members m the House are understood to be favorable to the Local Elections Bill. They are opposed, however, to tlie new provisions of the Electoral Bill, except tliose which -safeguard the secrecy of the ballot.