OTHER OPINIONS.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XXXVII, Issue 12278, 10 October 1910, Page 5

OTHER OPINIONS.

(Per Press Association.) CHRISTCHURCH, last night. The president .of the Canterbury Licensed Victuallers' Association states that the Licensing Bill is. disappointing, because it does not follow the' lines of last year's much-discussed compact. "'All m all," he stated to an interviewer, "we, have a feeling that we lidve lost a good deal, and that we are losing ground very quickly now. We certainly feel tliat the question should be settled one way or another, and should^ be left to the discretion of the people." Mr E. Nordon,. secretary of the Association, points out that, according to the summary of the Bill telegraphed, no provision is included m the Bill for the restoration of licenses on a 55 per cent, basis! He is of opinion ' that the Bill is a capitulation to the prohibition party. Prominent men m the no-license movement consider the Bill a distinct advance, though one said he considered it would have been better if it provided for the total abolition of the employment of barmaids. According to another- man^ the country is "dead ripe!' for a Dominion option vote, but the postponement of the coming, into operation of local novlicense for one year is a- piece of retrogressive legislation. He could not say he was altogether satisfied with the Bill, but it was a step m the right .direct tion. ; DUNEDIN, last night. The principal bottle-license holders m Dunedin, on being interviewed hj.'re-' gard to the proposal m the Bill to abolish bottle licenses, entered a most emphati'Q protest against any such step. They claim that bottle licenses were handed down to them from the days of ,iho Provincial Government, and it was distinctly iniproper' that the present Government should take them away on, its own initiative. If they were to oe taken away, let it be by the voice lof ; the people m the same way as hotel licenses, and holders would be quite pvepared to abide by the decision, but the, method at present "proposed was most arbitrary and high-handed. It is claimed that a charge of abuse of their privileges could not, m any direction, be levelled against the holders of licenses, and the trade was a perfectly legitimate one, which moderate persons found an absolute necessity.