THE LICENSING QUESTION.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 10755, 29 April 1913, Page 1

THE LICENSING QUESTION.

DEPUTATION TO MR MASSEY

A NON-COMMITTAL REPLY [Per Press Association.]

AUCKLAND, April 23

Several amendments of the Licensing Act desired by the Presbyterian General Assembly were placed before the Prime Minister this afternoon by a deputation of Auckland Presbyterian ministers and ciders, headed by the Rev A. Miller, moderator of the Auckland Presbytery. Mr Miller, in introducing the deputation, said tlnjt its members were appointed by the Presbyterian General Assembly "in November last to wait upon the- Prime Minister, with the object of placing before him prior to the coming session several suggested amendments to the Licensing act, upon the desirability of which the Assembly, representing all* Presbyterians in the dominion, had unanimously agreed. The changes that they asked for were:— (a). Reduction of majority necessary for carrying of no-license or national prohibition from 05 per cent to 50 per cent of the valid votes recorded, (b) That in the event of national prohibition being carried it should come into operation within two years of the date of the poll instead of within four years as the faw now provided. (o) Abolition of private bars and establishment of the principle of one licensee, one bar. The speaker added that it was the hope of the deputation, as well as of those they represented, that these changes might be given effect to during the coming session. The Prime Minister, in reply, said •hat the Government had to consider the question from several points of view, from social and financial points, and had also to consider the fact that a great mam- people were involved in the business. "Up to the present we have not gone to the length of attempting to complete our programme for the session," said Mr Massey. "There are two Labour Bills in course of preparation and also a. Land Bill, all of which will be in my own charge. Then there will be a Bill dealing with the Legislative Council, besides a number of other Bills." The question whether there would he a Liquor Bill could' not be- definitely settled until there was a fairly full meeting of the Cabinet. " From one point of view the Liquor Bill is not so important as some of the other Bills," added the Prime Minister, " because it cannot be given effect to until next election." The deputation could rest assured, however, that its representations would he laid before the Cabinet at the first opportunity, certainly before the House met. They would then he able to tell whether it would be possible to go on with a Liquor Bill this session." _ "I cannot commit the Government in tho meantime to any course of action," said Mr Massey, " and I would certainly not attempt" to decide such an important proposal unless there were certainly seven out-of nine Ministers present."-