LIQUOR LAWS.

New Zealand Graphic, 27 June 1906, Page 33

LIQUOR LAWS.

One of the reasons for this emphatic expression of confidence in Mr. Seddon by the women of New Zealand, was doubtless the passing of the Alcoholic Liquors Sale Control Bill. In dealing with this difficult question we prefer again, for obvious reasons, to quote the views of a professed opponent of Mr. Seddon and of Liberalism; and we leave the following quotation from the “Evening Post” to speak for itself: —“The passing of the Alcoholic Liquors Sale Control Bill probably afforded the new Premier the best opportunity during his first session of proving his skill as a Parliamentary pilot. The long conflict between popular rights and vested interests which the raising of the'Prohibitionist banner in Sydenham had precipitated had just terminated adversely to the former in the law courts, and the failure of the attempt to secure local option through the licensing committees inspired a fierce agitation throughout the country in favour of clearing up the position and giving the people the power of dealing with licenses by direct vote. The temperance partyhad a very drastic measure before the House in the hands of Sir Robert Stout, and the Government were faced with a position of extraordinary difficulty, but Mr. Seddon gauged it with singular skill, and the Alcoholic Liquors Sale Control Act, which established the principle of local option, but with various ingenious cheeks and balances, was the result. Further important amendments were made in 1895 and again in 1904, and it is one of the most remarkable testimonies to Mr. Seddon's skill as popular leader and Parliamentary tactician that he was able three times to legislate successfully upon the most burning of questions, that he emerged more powerful from every crisis that threatened him with disaster, and that the local option law of New Zealand remains to-day, with the general approval of the country, substantially what he made it.” It was, however, unfortunate for the party that just at the crisis when the Cabinet needed the co-operation and sympathy of all true Liberals, their forces should have been split asunder by the fierce controversy that arose round this measure. Sir Robert Stout and his friends never forgave the Premier for superseding the Licensing Bill which he had introduced, and which had already been read a second time; and the two great Liberals remained alienated from one another to the permanent loss of the Liberal cause till Sir Robout Stout was appointed Chief Justice in 1899.