PARLIAMENTARY JOTTINGS.

White Ribbon, Volume 16, Issue 185, 15 November 1910, Page 5

PARLIAMENTARY JOTTINGS.

All legislation has had to take a back seat on the political platform, since the appearance of the long - waited - for Licensing and (iaming Hills. On the former, our Union falls into line with the New Zealand Alliance and their resolution published in the daily papers, exactly expresses our opinion of the Hill. Considering its importance, it will not be amiss to outline the chief clauses of the Hill.

1. Voting Paper. I vote against National Prohibition. This vote also counted in favour of licenses in the district.

I vote for National Prohibition. vote also counted against grant of licenses in the district.'

2. Local No-License. The present three-fifths majority to he superseded by a 55 per cent, majority, ami if NoLicense is carried, it comes into operation a year after polling da}'. 3. Local Restoration, if carried, also to come into force a year after polling day, and the Licensing Committee may grant licenses, not more than 1 for every -41)0 electors and not less than one for every 800.

-4. National Prohibition, if earned, to come into force -4 years after polling day. This is to he decided by a 55 per cent, majority. Then it will he unlawful for any person to import into New Zealand, or manufacture, sell, or have in his possession for purposes of sale intoxicating liquor of any description. Exemption made for medicinal, scientific, sacramental, or industrial purposes. 5. If National Restoration is carried, it is to come into force 3 months after. (). Rottle licenses to he abolished. 7. No breweries to he established within 5 miles of No-License districts. H. Abolition of barmaids, with an exemption made in the case of the wife or daughter of the licensee or a woman licensee, and for barmaids who have been so employed for 3 months within a year before the passing of the Act. These to he registered. It. No person under 21 years of age to he served with intoxicating liquor. From our point of view, the crucial point of the Hill is the putting of the two issues Local No-License and Dominion Prohibition —on the one paper, so that a voter is not able to vote different ways on the two issues. The “Trade” approves of this, but the amendment to be moved by the member for Clutha, Mr Malcolm, will probably be carried—that the two issues he on separate papers.

Hefore this article appears in print, the Hill will probably have been con-

siderably altered, so further comment is useless. Rrieflv, the Gaming Hill provides—1. That betting in the streets shall not he allowed. 2. That racing dubs must p-event bookmakers plying their calling on racecourses or have their license revoked for a year. 3. The number of licenses to use the totalisator is restricted. 4. Investments on totalisator must he restricted to case. 5. Hetting confined to persons over 21 years of age. All these are steps in the right direction and point the way to the total abolition of the totalisator. —C.S.L.