LIQUOR PROBLEM.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 128, 6 July 1914, Page 8

LIQUOR PROBLEM.

THE MODERATE VIEW. DEPUTATION TO PRIME MINISTER . : ; , ', . - Press Association. «. WELLINGTON, July 6. A deputation consisting of about fifty petsons, representing moderate, opinion -on the liquor question, waited on the Premier to-day to place its views before him. The Hon. A. L. Herdman, Minister of Justice, introduced them. Mr A. S. Menteath was the chief spokesman. He .said that neither the trade, nor the prohibition parties could claim to represent the public as a whole. _ Over one hundred thousand, electors had failed to record their rotes on the liquor question at the last poll, and the moderate .section had never been jightly organised, and -therefore had never been rightly heard. In the opinion of the deputation the proposal to reduce the statutory majority was most dangerous, and likely to disorganise the social and financial affairs of the country. They objected strongly to the complete abolition of the legal use of alcoholic beverages by a merely nominal majority, but, on the other hand, it was felt that much eould be done to' improve the system under which liquor is sold at present. Mr J. B. Harcourt said that as nearly 'J? 56 per cent, of the votes were cast for prohibition last election, to reduce the majority to 55 would be tantamount to legislating out of existence about a million of revenue. The question of replacing such a sum was so serious that some definite scheme of readjustment should be brought forward first. In replying, Mr Massey said he was glad to hear the representations of the deputation. He intimated that the Government also held moderate views on the question. He did personally, and took this stand. The Government must do all it could .to promote and maintain the sobriety of the population, without unreasonably interfering with the liberty of the subject. The Government had looked at the question from all points of view, and he would not be doing his duty if he did not give Parliament an opportunity to express its opiniou on a matter of such public importance. Tie "had to admit that the financial position was important. If prohibition were carried the revenue now collected by the taxation of alcoholic liquor would have to be replaced, and thev could not do without much of the present revenue. He expressed great pleasure at seeing those representing the moderate view taking an interest in public affairs. Their representations would be placed before Parliament, ami he felt sure they would that consideration to which they we; e entitled.