MR M’COMBS DISCUSSES LICENSING VOTES.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18579, 29 September 1928, Page 4

MR M’COMBS DISCUSSES LICENSING VOTES.

Mr J. M’Combs, M.P., arrived from Wellington this morning to attend the opening of the new playground at Lyttelton. He is returning to Wellington this evening. Speaking to a reporter, Mr M’Combs said that a further attempt may be made this session to force legislation through the House permitting the sale in wine-shops of wine fortified with brandy up to 40 per cent proof spirit. “It is remarkable,” said Mr M’Combs, "how the apostles of true temperance and the advocates of light wines and beers voted for the sale in wine-shops of wine and mead fortified up to 40 per cent proof spirit." Regarding the controversy on the question of a pair for the Hon W. Nosworthy, Mr M’Combs said that he had just received a copy of a telegram sent to a Reform supporter in the Ashburton electorate. The telegram is dated 6 p.m., Thursday, September 20, 1928. and is signed by Mr Coates. It reads as follows: "Your telegram received. Matter of pair for Hon Nosworthy on third reading Licensing Bill has already been arranged." Mr M’Combs said that this undertaking had not been fulfilled, and, so far as he knew, Mr Nosworthy had not been paired on any one of the three clauses under discussion. “It is sheer humbug to pretend to pair Mr Nosworthy with Mr Rhodes on the majority question, because Mr Rhodes and Mr Jordan were paired early in the session on that question, and the pair has recently been confirmed by cable," said Mr M Combs. “Mr Nosworthy cannot be paired with Mr Rhodes on the third reading division, because they both voted for the third reading of a similar Bill last session.”