WORDING OF THE BALLOT PAPER

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Issue 1170, 12 September 1912, Page 25

WORDING OF THE BALLOT PAPER

AN ALTERATION ASKED FOR. The Prime Minister (Mr W. F. Massey) was waited on in Wellington on Friday by a deputation, representing the national council of the liquor trade, in both the wholesale and retail sections. Mr A. M. Myers introduced the deputation. Mr Martin Kennedy, chairman of the National Council, said that while they did not like the Licensing Act as it stood, they would limit their. request to an amendment of the voting paper in regard to national prohibition, in order that an honest expression of opinion might be obtained at the polls in accordance with the Act. The present issues, “I

vote against National Prohibition” and “I vote for National Prohibition,” were misleading, and considerable conlusion was caused to electors. They asked that the voting paper should be amended to read, “I vote for National Continuance” and “I vote for National Prohibition.” Mr Kennedy said that he was sure that their opponents would concur in this proposal, because he did not think they desired to get a majority upon a "snap” vote or against the intentions of the people. If the voting paper were not altered and a vote were taken, no matter which side won, a clamour would be raised on the grounds that a number of people voted contrary to their intentions. The request was not a partisan one, as the trade would be content to leave the matter in the hands of two disinterested parties to decide upon the wording of the ballot paper if the Government would introduce the proposal into the House. They did not desire to ask for a review of the Licensing Act, because whatever its defects may be it would be unfair for them to expect the Government ro attempt a general alteration of the law at the present time. The Prime Minister, in replying, said their request was that the reference to National Prohibition in the schedule of the Act should be made clear. He had already stated that there would be no Government Licensing Bill this session. The Barmaids Bill would not be a Licensing Bill. It would simply be a Bill with the title mentioned, for the reason that if the Government introduced an amendment to the Licensing Act, even with the object of making cleaiwhat was intended in the Act. of 1 9 00, it wounl be so overloaded by amendments in the House that it would not be possible to get it through. He did not think that the Government could do anything in regard to their proposal this session. Before there any possibility of another poll being taken, if the Government remained in office, and he had no doubt they would, the position would be made quite clear. If the Government did not introduce a Bill with any other object they would make the wording of the ballot paper so clear that any elector would be able to understand what issue he was voting for.