BELLAMYS AND LIQUOR.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXXIV, Issue 12794, 12 June 1909, Page 4

BELLAMYS AND LIQUOR.

As already pointed out, the holding of a session occupying a period of less than a month will in the present state of the law deprive members of the opportunity for the second time in succession of expressing their opinion in regard to the continuance of the liquor bar of Bellamys during the life of the new Parliament. The law provides that the vote of members shall be taken on the fourth Tuesday after the Address-in-Reply to th© Governor's speech is determined in the "first session" of each Parliament. The holding of a short session of three days* duration in 1906 prevented the vote being taken on that occasion, and the same thing also occurred in 1897, when the first session of the new Parliament held prior to the late Mr Scddon's departure for England occupied only about a week. The prospect of another repetition of the peculiar position led Mr Poole to ask the Prime Minister to-day whether he intended to give members an opportunity of voting- on the question before the prorogation of Parliament.

Sir J. Ward— "Yes. It is intended to be done this session."

Mr Massey — "Will the law allow it? Is there not a provision in regard to the fourth Tuesday? We must keep to the law,"

Sir J. Ward— "Well, subject to the law, we will do it." (Laughter).