LICENSING POLL.

Waikato Times, Volume 102, Issue 17133, 21 June 1927, Page 11

LICENSING POLL.

TWO ISSUES WANTED.

DEPUTATION TO MINISTER-

sympathy with objects. A petitipn signed by 2070 women electors of Hamilton was presented ..0 the lion. J. A. Young (Minister of Health) yesterday by a large deputation consisting of representatives of the Women’s Christian Temperance Union and sympathisers, who sought to have the licensing ballot paper restricted to the two issues of national continuance and national prohibition, and opposed an extension of the period between the licensing polls. The Rev. 11. G. Gilbert introduced the deputation and thanked Mr Aoung for the support given their cause in connection with the Licensing Bill. Mrs Jones (district president of the W.C.T.U.) solicited the Hamilton member’s support in eliminating State purchase and control from the ballot paper and confining the voting to the two straight-out issues. The present system, she said, was unfair, and prohibition should be given a proper chance to secure a majority.

The speaker dwelt on the evils of drinking, which had increased crime and was in many cases inherited from parents. “Drinking has increased,” added the speaker, “not only with young men, but with young women, many of them in the higher social circles.” The position created fears for the future. It was gratifying to find the Minister of Health sympathetic with their objects.

Mrs 0. Morgan (president of the Hamilton East branch of the W.C.T.TJ.) endorsed the remarks of the previous speaker. It was peculiar that so much could be spent on babies who were afterwards exposed to J,he temptation of drink, which had runied many bodies and homes. It had been a pleasant duty obtaining signatures to the petition, and even some not in sympathy with prohibition had given support to the proposal which had for its object the declaring of a two-issue ballot paper. Her comment was supplemented by that of Mrs S. Craig (district secretary), who said the success of their objects depended on the legislators. A very sympathetic hearing was given Hie deputation by the Hon. J. A. Young, who stated that in accordance with his pledge given at the last c'cction he wpuld support them in their efforts to secure a two-issue liccnsmg poll and oppose the extension of the period between the polls. The 192 G Bill was introduced, but shelved by Parliament owing to the pressure of Imperial business of 1 tic understanding that it would be reproduced this session. The Prime Minister would he introducing a Bill, but probably would not include a clause dealing with Ihe objects of the deputation, which would attain its end in .having the question discussed when the Bill was before the House. Dealing with the preferential vote which might be introduced on the question, the Minister of Health staled emphatically that he would never lend his support to a movement to declare votes invalid where a second preferential vote was not exercised. “Theoretically,” proceeded tiie Hon. J. A. Young, “the State controllists were entitled to the right to vote, but on' the small vote recorded it onlywastes time and confuses the issues to have ‘State control and purchase’ included in the ballot paper. I would rather see the present licensing system endure than have State control. If State control is .wanted, why not try out prohibition first and then fall back on that issue,” From bis observation of social conditions, drink only created misery, criminality and poverty. It was impossible fo forecast what prospects there were of obtaining a two-issue ballot paper, but his own deductions from an analysis of statements made were that Mho deputation’s object would meet wilh success. He certainly subscribed to their view.