PROPOSED LICENSING RESTRIC TIONS.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXI, Issue 16690, 21 July 1916, Page 5

PROPOSED LICENSING RESTRIC TIONS.

THE "TRADE'S" REPLY.

WELLINGTON, July 20. The Amalagamated .Licensed VictuaV lers' Association. ib'-dajf 'passed the fol- v lowing resolutions:— (1) That the agltaCon directed against the licensed trade by prohibitionists is unpatriotic, unreasonable and unwarrantable; (a) unpatriotic because it is a tendency to create class prejudice and embitter feeling amongst different sections of the community at a time when all should be in accord to overthrow the road-hogs of Europe; (b) unreasonable in that it would violate the pledge, or "scrap of paper," given by the people at the ballot box in 1914, when by an overwhelming majority the electors declared against any interference with the licensing system until at least 1917-j (c) and unwarrant- ■ able in that any interference with the licensing system now would be in du> ect opposition to the voice and mandate of the people, and a violation of the pledge given by the people at the last elections to the trade; (2) that relying upon the declared will of the people., members of the trade have entered into rebuilding and various other, contracts, and any alteration in the hours of licensing now would not only be contrary to the people's pledge, to the trade but would involve the trade in incalculable loss; (3) that in view of the evidence of the Defence Minister himself and his responsible advisers, Colonels Patten and Adams, there 13 absolutely no military necessity for the , agitation for any alteration in the pre- ' sent licensing'law, either by proclamation or therwJse.