THE LICENSING QUESTION.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 12089, 18 August 1917, Page 9

THE LICENSING QUESTION.

TO THE KDITCm. SJ'r,—Not for many a long day has so much interest centred round a question as obtains just now regarding tin; .ittitudo of the Cabinet towards tbo tcry pronounced demand for o'clock closing of jiotris. Cgl.v rumours aro afloat. that by means of War Hopjalations the Government will ignore the recommendations of (lit;, ivdicicncy Hoard, and 11 10 expressed desires of nearly SOO.OOf) elector*. Tho Prime. Minuter prid<--; himself on airing a'• .scjUfirt- lioal..'' and Las declared to f-ovornl deputal "inns that the House will bo afforded th." i'lilllesf opportunity of dealing with ibo Ik-0:.*.-ing question. Can i: bo jiossibb-. that Mr .Ma:,soy will go back o'.i bis word? ih i\ u'iitii the Cabinet is fast, losing (be jvspect. of tho Dominion on account, of it.? vacillation, but 1 trow that ai\v side-tracking on lioonsinn- will be about tho last straw that will break tho camel's back. Should there bo, any deplorable knuckling down to iho trade. (lira the licry cross must go forth and a orusndn entered upon from tho North Cap;- to tho Bluff to protect iho rights of the democracy. fu tho present temper of tho. pooplo both men and mone-v will bo fr,»ind for such a cnt-ado. and. as a cons'Vjiion'Vi public opinion trill stiil 'uriher bo j arousal. j It is a fact that in other lands Cabi- ; nets have had to submit to roconstrur- j tion because tho. members, failed to understand the signs of tho times, and | there is no sound reason why, iif tho j present Ministry deC- tho people's will, j that, it should not giV© place to more capable men. j I respectfully submit tho cort-iinty i of the proposition that there exists a. strong growing sentiment in favour ot an appeal to the country in December, j —I am, etc., I WATCHMAN. j August IS. |