The Temperance Council's Manifesto.

Southland Times, Issue 19197, 7 November 1903, Page 2 (Supplement)

The Temperance Council's Manifesto.

MR. M'NAB'S REPLY. The resolution passed at an executive meeting of the United Temperance Council last week expressing regret at Mr M'Nab's "neutral attitude" on temperance matters in the House, was sent to that gentleman, wh»o now replies as follows : "J. Allott, Chairman Temperance Council, (J ore, —Received letter with resolution dealing with myself. At the present time 1 am engaged in the biggest struggle the temperance party have had to face since their incept tion. I have no time to haggle with those inside the gates wnen the existence- of the city is threatened. While the light is on don't let your committee, through their personal dislike to myself, stand idly by, but get them to throw off their coats and wire in or local option will be lost altogether. When the /Ight is over 1 will return to your resolution—Robert M'Nab." The correspondent of the Southern Standard telegraphs that those who questioned Mr M'Nab's entire sympathy with the temperance cause have reason to change their opinion after his attitude on Saturday morning. Speaking to Mr IJanan's amendment to adjourn till next session consideration of the licensing question, the member for Mataura took his full period of half an hour. He thought it was very desirable that the bill should be postponed, so that the electors would understand the great inroad it made upon their rights. Analysing the bill, it looked as if almost every provision took away some power from the people. Clause 3 took away their right of saying Uiat the number of licenses J could be reduced in- country districts. A reduction often widened an area of no-license, and did not fatten the remaining hotels. If reduction v.'as unpopular, how was it that more hotels were closed under reduction than under no-license. Dunedin alone had closed 38. To prevent the monopoly of reduction in the towns, high license icen should be introduced, qu<l the remaining hotels pay a higher figure. Clause 7 took away the light the electors had of saying that licenses were to be granted in their districts and left them only the right of saying that they could be' refused. They lost a substantial power by this clause. Clause 8 stated that, when a second poll was taken, onehulf had to vote. That meant that the minority stayed away, and it was known how everyone going to the poll was going to vote. This clause, therefore, took away the right of .se-cret"-voting. Clause 9 was "the nolicense, no grog" clause. Under it. it uas impossible for the electors to condemn 4,he licensees for misconduct in carrying on their hotels unless they were prepared to forego keeping liquc-r in their homes'— that the light to punish misconduct was taken was granted the trade., the people away. When a three-years' license took over control of tho houses. The new proposal w a s not to increase tho powers of the electors, but to take them away one by one. and at tho same time give districts the right of Haying that there should be a further extension for six years- if they could vote it. While the people lost everything, the licensee was to have a chance of a double term. There was no fairness in the proposal at all, and too could not support tho measure,

Tho ringing of the Speaker's bell pi-QVentccl any further analysis of the bill.