Free Vote on Licensing Bill

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 85, 1 July 1927, Page 9

Free Vote on Licensing Bill

“NOBODY’S DARLING” ATTITUDE OF GOVERNMENT (.THE SUN'S Parliamentary Reporter.) • WELLINGTON, Thursday. TF the Minister for Health, Hon. J. A. Young, is sincere, and adequately represents the views of his colleagues, the Government intends to allow the House an independent mind upon the question of the licensing issue. His declaration to this effect did not impress the Opposition in the House to-day, however. Mr. Young said the Government left the licensing issue entirely in the hands of the House to deal with. It did not necessarily follow that because the Government brought down the bill that the members of the Government were entirely in accord with its provisions. It was agreed, however, that legislation should be introduced, and Cabinet would approve the bill. Mr. P. Fraser (Wellington Central) : Yes, in a certain form. Mr. Young: Cabinet might formally agree to the bill, but this does not necessarily commit tne Government. It is possible that Cabinet will agree upon the proposals. I am not able to say. The House will be asked to deal with it at a later stage. Mr. H. E. Holland: Will the bill go right through? The Minister did not reply. Mr. G. W. Forbes, Leader of the National Party, said the Licensing Bill appeared to be “nobody’s darling,” and none could say where it had originated or who was in charge. A similar position existed over the bill of last year, when nobody could tell whose bill it was. He could only assume that it was an anonymous bill. He described some of the happenings in respect to the introduction of some bills as mysterious,, and advised the Government not to adopt the line of action suggested by the Minister for Health, but to ascertain before bringing down the hill just what support would he accorded it from the Government side of the House.