THE LICENSING LAW.

Southland Times, Issue 14579, 21 November 1910, Page 2

THE LICENSING LAW.

I .ME WESLEY SPBAGQ’S IDEAS. (Per United Press Aaaoclatlon.) AUCKLAND. November 19. The President of the New Zealand Alliance (Mr Wesley Spragg), referring to the new Licensing Bill, made an important statement from the No.-license Party’s standpoint to-day. “Whatever,” said Mr Spragg, may be said in favour of tbe new licensing law, the three-fifths handicap leaves it an unsatisfactory measure. It has good points, but these- are overshadowed by tlie undemocratic voting provision. The next election will be fought out on the question of whether the votes of a pothouse loafer and tils feminine equivalent are to be equal to the votes of three opponents.of the liquor traffic. No candidate is likely to be elected to perpetuate what everybody knows to be opposed to democracy, fair play, and good government. The reduction issue being deleted, is a concession to the trade. The introduction of the Dominion issue is an acknowledgment of a principle wliicji will be useful later on, even if its immediate practical value is not much. The provision for doing away with the barmaid is a healthy expression of public sentiment, as is also the raising of tlie minimum age at which a youth can be supplied with liquor. The universal compulsory closing at ten o’clock will mean much for the sobriety of the people. Every hour a bar is closed will be a saving of - money and will promote the health, life and happiness of the community. These latter .principles are all steps in the right direction, only they should be extended so as to protect the people for the whole twenty-four hours. The removal of the brewery depots to a distance of five miles from the borders of No-license electorates is another partial acknowledgment of the principle which will have an educational value out of- proportion to its practical value. To restrict and ban evil is better than to let it flaunt Itself unchallenged. This is the teaching of civilisation.” “With all our disappointment and dissatisfaction,” said Mr Spragg in conclusion, "we recognise that something has been gained. Tbe way is now clear for a fight oh the simple majority, the democratic majority, at the next election.” '