NARROW DECISIONS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16802, 3 August 1922, Page 7

NARROW DECISIONS.

SIDELIGHTS ON LICENSING REPORT. (Special to the “Star.”) ADVOCATES EVENLY AIATCHED. WELLINGTON, August 2. It generally was understood that the select committee or amendment of the licensing law came to its decisions on narrow majorities, and this was thoroughly corroborated with interesting detail when the report came under discussion to-day. Air Harris (Waitemata) was one of the minority members of the committee- He. alleged that most of its important decisions were only adopted on the casting vote of the chairman. Mr Hockly. Thus, he argued, its recommendations could not carry much weight. The personnel was an unsuccessful effort to mix oil and water. AJr Sykes: Try whisky and water. Mr Harris demurred to this experiment, for he oame out as a strong advocate of wiping out the whole liquor trade. This attack drew a personal statement from Air Hockly, who had presided over the committee’s deliberations. HO AY THE VOTING WENT There were twenty-three recommendations adopted, explained Air Hockly, but only one was carried on his casting rote. Possibly, added Air Hockly, then * importance was reflected in his critic’s mind because he had moved two of them. Air Harris was incorrect in suggesting that the extension of licensing for four years in the event of prohibition being carried was carried on the chairman’s casting vote. As a mat ter of fact it was carried by five votes to four. All Harris said he accepted the last explanation, as he found he had made an error in looking up the minutes. Air Reed (Bay of Islands), who described himelf as not a prohibitionist, attacked the committee from another angle. It had called evidence from every interest except the most important, that of the public- Its proceedings were merely the old light between extremists of the trade and prohibition If the committee had desired independent evidence why had it not called magistrates who were chairman of licensing committees? They could have given valuable advice if the committee genuinely desired to make reforms. Air Hockly: AY’e had written reports from magi states. Air Lysnar : And the Alinister of Justice was on the committee. Air Reed retorted that the personnel of the committee was calculated to bring about a. Kilkenny cat flight. “ The hon gentleman did not attend the meetings, and so is simply a guesser at best,” declared the Hon E. P. T/ee. Alinister of Justice. He had attended other committees, which were 1 simply bitter party wrangles all through, but this committee worked smoothly, each side having consideration for the other, treating opponents fairly, so much so that if anyone was absent they waited for him before voting. The Alinister went- on to deal with the neeesity for an amendment of the licensing law. Counting together the votes polled for State Control anil no-license there was a majority of 61.290 people who desired some other system than that prevailing. This could be regarded by the licensing trade as the writing on tiie wall. Surely this ought to be an indication to the Government to amend the licensing law. Ho did not suggest amendment this session, because the licensing issue would be the subject of a vote in December. If continuance were carried he thought that a. largo number of people by their vote had requested that considerable amendment should be made in the licensing system. Air Isitt. a member of the minority of the committee, described its efforts as an attempt to blind people into continuing licenses by y>romising them better and cheaper v accommodation from hostelrie® after next election. “It was a resurrection of liquor reformers just before the poll,” he declared. assuring the Prime Alinister that, the appointment of this committee and given a great lift bo prohibition, lor which he and his friends were deeply grateful.