THE NO-LICENSE PARTY.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXVI, Issue 61, 17 July 1913, Page 6

THE NO-LICENSE PARTY.

A FEW OF THEIR REQUESTS

[Per Press Association.] Wellington, July 17

A large deputation representing the New Zealand Alliance, and including thirteen members of Parliament, waited on the Premier to-day. Dr. Newman said the deputation came to ask for the removal of the present preposterous handicap. It wanted "a square deal." The Kev. W. Comrie, President of the Alliance, submitted that the law with regard to barmaids was being flouted. The intention of the Legislature was one license one bar, but this was being defeated. The deputation asked that hotels shotdd be treated as other business places in the matter of observing a weekly half-holiday. The'No-License-Party were also strongly of the v opinion that there should not-be.a reduction in the duty on Australian Wines. He expressed the hope that\thjj fruits' of ; the party's labour would 1 btf safeguarded. They knew, he said, thitt the will'of the electors had not beefl always'''given effect to. Mr Mssey , V' <!4 What are you referring to?" Mr Comrie said he would give the Premier 'certain information privately. The three-fifths majority was looked Upon as unjust and unfair. It was a stonewalled way . reform, and he strongly urged that tfhat the deputation asked was in the best interests of the community.,;

The Rev. Dawson quoted figures showing, the increased voting against The Trade. It was not a party question. The issue was in the interests of humanity. "We feel," he said, "there must be a change or else we must coneider Parliament as we have never considered it before."

In the course of his reply, the Premier said it would he practically impossible to bring down a Licensing Bill this session owing to the large number of important measures already in train.

NJTHE HOUSE

Wellington, July 17

Mr MaHsey', in-replying to the NoLicense deputation, said that subsequently the House would probably he given an opportunity to consider the liquor traffic question before the session ended.