IGNORANCE ADMITTED

Southland Times, Issue 21650, 11 March 1932, Page 7

IGNORANCE ADMITTED

NAMES OF INVERCARGILL NEWSPAPERS. THE MEMBER FOR WAIMARINO. (From Our Parliamentary Reporter.) Wellington, ?,larch 10. An admission of ignorance regarding the names and standing of the pa;>ers in Invercargill was made in the House of Representatives this afternoon by Mr F. Langstone (L., Waimarino) during the introductory stages of his Bill which proposes to amcn.i the Licensing Act to provide for newspapers in no-license areas publishing liquor advertisements. In moving the introduction of the Licensing Amendment Bill, Mr Langstone said the purpose of the Bill was to amend the Act of 1908 which made it an offence for a newspaper in a no-license or proclaimed area to publish liquor advertisements. “Newspapers in wet areas can publish them,” he said, "but a paper in Invercargill, for instance—l don’t know the name of the paper there, I suppose it is only a small one, but that doesn’t matter—cannot accept, these advertisements. The Bill proposes by means of a proviso to place all papers on the same footing.” Mr W. J. Broadfoot (Govt., Waitomo) supported the measure, but Mr 11. A. Wright (Govt., Wellington Suburbs) rose and opposed it. “What is the use of the newspapers in Invercargill publishing liquor advertisements?” he asked. "The people there cannot buy liquor.” (Laughter.) Mr Langstone: If you lived there you could write away and get. it.

Mr Wright: If I lived in Invercargill 1 would drink water, like the people of Invercargill. (Roars of laughter.) Tho Bill was read a first time. The Electoral Amendment Bill (Mr G. Black) was also read a first time and Mr C. 11. Chapman gave notice that he would move to introduce the Electoral Amendment Bill, 1932.