THE LICENSING PROPOSALS

Timaru Herald, Volume XIIC, Issue 14055, 12 November 1909, Page 5

THE LICENSING PROPOSALS

TWO ISSUES IN FUTURE. DOMINION PROHIBITION. OUTLINE OF THE NEW BILL. Per Press Association. WELLINGTON, Nov. 11. The Premier has given a fuller statement of the agreement come to ro licensing proposals. "The securing of such a settlement, '' said Sir Joseph Ward,'' appeared in the circumstances an almost impossible task, but I asked my colleague, the Minister of Justice, to eco what he could do to effect this cud. For soma time past the Hon. Dr. Findlay has been in touch with the representatives of both parties and last week ho was ablo owing to the reasonaW concessions being made, to induce each party independently to agreo to the following amendments being made this year in the Licensing Act. 1. —In future two issues will be put to the people:— (a) That tho number of licenses continue. (b) That no licenses bo granted m the district. . Tho issue "That tho number o( licenses in the district be reduced," is not in future to bo put. In other words tho reduction issue is to be altogether eliminated in future polls. 2—Fiftv-fivo hundredths of the votes recorded aro to carry no license. 3—Proviskm is to be made for national prohibition on the following basis:—Every vote cast for no license in any district is to count for Dominion prohibition and aftpr the words iif the voting paper, "I voto that no license "be granted in the district, aro to bo added the words, "This vote shall also he counted for 'Dominion prohibition.' " . .. • 4 —The majority of votes required to carrv Dominion 'prohibition shall bo \ fifty-five oue-hundredths of all tho votes cast. ' ~,.,. i s—Should Dominion prohibition bo carried, it will not take effect for five vcars after the poll at which it has *b)cen candied* and after Dominion prohibition has been carried no further voto shall be taken for three years after Dominion prohibition has been m I effect. .. ~ 6—ln future where no license is carried locally, it shall not take effect for two Years after it has been so carried,* and "in cases in which no license has already been carried, every vote cast for non-restoration shall count tor national prohibition and after the'words fti the voting! paper, ''l vote that licenses be. not restored in tho district, shall be added the words, "This vote shall also be counted for national prohibition." . . . . n B—ln future' restoration may he cairied in any no license district, if fiftyfive hundredths of the votes recorded aro in favour of restoration. 9_Upon Dominion prohibition coming into effect, no intoxicating liquors of any kind' shall be imported into, manufactured or sold within the Dominion, except for medical and scientific purposes. ',,,,• ■■■ i "These proposals," added Sir Joseph Ward, "have been carefully reduced to writing and the fully accredited ■representatives of each party have independently requested me to pass legislation ■ etnlwrying them this year . ami oach party has undertaken to do all in its power to promote the passage of this legislation. In case of any difference of opinion as to draughtsman- «•• ship or terms of the proposed Jim, <each party has bound itself independently to'abide absolutely by the decision of the Attorney-General.

A NO-LICENSK VIEW. ' ■ ■ DUNEDIN, Nov. U. •in conversation with a "Times.' reporter to-night, Mr A S. Adams, wellknown as one of the leaders of the noli ncenso movement said' the mam reason for a five years' delay in national' prohibition was that on it hemp; carried, the whole of the Dominion revenue derived from liquor would bo struck off and as tlic Minister or. 1M- < nance would have to effect renduistments to the extent of £500,000 or £600,000 for a few years until the new condition of affairs had had time. v to assert itself and revenue .from' ' creased consumption of other articles would amount to a sufficient sum to replace the revenue from liquor, it was considered fair to fix such'a'time limit. The concession was, he said, valuable to the trade, because it would give brewers and licensees time to dispose of stocks and seek new investments for their capital. . Mr Adams said that the Bill might to provide vow ully against the possibility of reckless trading by licensees during the period of suspension in the event of No-License being carried. MiAdams spoke in high terms of praise, •of 'Dr. YlAmdfey wlho carried! Killings through from start to finish.'