LICENSING BILL.

Waipawa Mail, Volume XLIX, Issue 151, 12 September 1928, Page 2

LICENSING BILL.

AGAIN BEFORE THE HOUSE. A 55-45 MAJORITY. AND TWO-ISSUE BALLOT PAPER. (Per Press Association). WELLINGTON, Last night. The Licensing Bill was brought down by Governor’s message this evening. The bill provides for a two-issue ballot paper on Continuance and Prohibition, the third issue, State Control, having been again deleted, and that Prohibition shall not come into effect unless it is carried by 55 per cent, majority of the valid votes east. The referendum is to take place at every alternate general election, hut a new provision is added with regard to the national restoration poll. The bill suggests that the first restoration poll shall not be taken until the first general election after the expiration of five years from the date Prohibition was carried. The provisions for giving effect to national restoration are practically the same as last year’s.

It is provided that the number of licenses shall not exceed one for every complete 500 electors of a district or less than one for every complete 1500 electors. Last year’s bill provided for (me for not less than every complete 1000 eleetors. Restoration shall not come into effect in a former no-license district unless the electors so decree at a special local restoration poll, and, even if they carry such a poll, it shall not have effect unless national restoration is earned as well. PRIME MINISTER’S ATTITUDE.

Replying to questions Mr Coates said the bill was on the same lines as that of last session, but it embodied amendments which had been agreed to after the last hill passed through the Legislative Council. It was not a party measure. Parliament would have a perfectly free hand. It was not a Government measure, notwithstanding that it was mentioned in the Governor-General’s speech. It arose out of a promise made by his predecessor, a promise which he felt hound to honor. After some discussion the bill was read the first time.