ALWAYS A WRANGLE.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume L, Issue 16579, 7 November 1924, Page 8

ALWAYS A WRANGLE.

THE LICENSING QUESTION

(L'mfiatuentary Reporter.) WELLINGTON, this day

The Premier had to plead with the House of Representatives during the last, hours of the session not to have a, wrangle when members wore hoping lo depart peacefully. The contentious subject was the licensing legislation. A <|iiostion had arisen regarding the print, ing of the licensing committee’s report.

Mr. •Hnrkly, the chairman, agreed to a motion In print the report, hut declined a suggestion from Mr, Isilt to print the evidence, as in his opinion the cost of planting such a large volume of evidence was unwarranted. Mr. Isitl retorted that the committee was composed of a large majority opposed to temperance reform, and it would only he fair to print the. evidence sub’ mitted to them, as already a. large .section of the community was blaming the Premier for the business. T(. would not ho fair lo print the report alone, -as it was so one-sided.

Air. lie fa Perelle, a membra' of the committee, strongly protested against the insinuation of the member for Christchurch North. He Was, he said, in favor of temperance reform, though possibly not on the same lines as the committee’s critic.

‘T am surprised the other side do not realise it would he a sporting thing to allow both sides to he presented,” said Air. McCombs, who moved an amendment that the evidence he printed. “I am very sorry this has been mentioned,” remarked Mr. Massey. “Here we are at the fast moment' of the session, when we 'are looking forward to departing with goodwill, hut we arc: in a fair way to developing a wretched wrangle. Wb had better drop the- whole thing.” Tn a general discussion and private exchanges which followed. Air. Coates mentioned that the evidence of the committee filled 2000 folios.

Mr. Isilt., on hearing this, said lie was anxious for fair play, and must admit that he could not justify the heavy expenditure involved in printing xo much evidence. The best thing would be to adjourn the discussion,

Air. McCombs opposed this motion, as it would mean dropping the printing of both tlie report and the evidence. However. he secured only 14 votes, while 38 members voted to drop the whole business by adjourning the discussion.