TWO-ISSUE BALLOT ON LICENSING- POLL

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 16378, 28 June 1927, Page 6

TWO-ISSUE BALLOT ON LICENSING- POLL

ME. .J. A. YOUNG'B PROMISE Answering a deputation which presented a petition signed hv 2070 .women electors, the Minister of Health, the Hon. J. A. Young, at Hamilton, declared his opposition to the State Control issue remaining on the licensing poll, ballot paper. He also did not favor preferential voting and said ho was pledged to oppose any extension of the time between the polls. The petition was presented bv a large deputation, consisting of representatives of the Women’s Christian Temperance Union and sympathisers. The petitioners sought to have the licensing ballot paper restricted to the two issues of national continuance and national prohibition, and opposed an extension of the period between the licensing polls.

Mr. Young stated that in accordance with his pledge given at the last election he would support them in their efforts to secure a two-issue licensing poll and oppose any extension of the period between the polls. The 192 b Bill was introduced, but shelved by Parliament owing to the pressure of Imperial business, on the understanding that it would be reproduced this session. The Prime Minister would be introducing a Bill, but probably would not include a clause dealing with the object of the deputation. which would attain its end in having the question discussed when the Bill was before the House.

Healing with the preferential vote which might lie introduced in the cpiestion, the .Minister stated emphatically that he would never lend his support to a movement to declare votes invalid when a second preferential vote was not exercised.

‘‘Theoretically.” proceeded the Hon. ,T. A. Young, “the State controllisjs are entitled to the right to vote, but on the small vote recorded it only wastes time and confuses the issues to have ‘State Control and Purchase’ 'included in the ballot paper. “I would rather,” lie continued, “see the present licensing system endure than have State control. If State control is wanted, why not try out prohibition first and then fall back cn that issue.” From his observation of social conditions, drink only created misery, criminality and poverty. It was impossible to forecast what prospects there were of obtaining a twoissue ballot, paper, but his own deductions from un analysis of statements made were that the deputation’s 'object would meet with success. He certainly subscribed to their view.”