LEGAL AND PARLIAMENTARY

White Ribbon, Volume 19, Issue 3, 1 April 1947, Page 2

LEGAL AND PARLIAMENTARY

Miss Henderson Gives a Warning Read at Convention. It is quite clear that this year will he a momentous one in the history of the Temperance movement in New Zealand, and W.C.T.U. members nu:>t concentrate on this part of our work The Royal Commission on Licensing lias issued a voluminous report carrying innumerable recommendations, to many of w hich we are utterly opposed. There is no doubt that in the next Parliament legislation will be introduced to give effect to most, if not all of these recommendations. The first point to demand attention will be the proposal "that all breweries in New Zealand and their licenses should be acquired by a Public Corporation (the money for this purchase is to be advanced by the State). But as a preliminary to the necessary legislation the Commission recommends that a National poll be taken to ascertain whether or not the people approve of the proposal. The Prime Minister has stated that the i»oll will be taken. So, the first duty of our members is to make the necessary preparations. We must not wait until the necessity for the decision is upon us.

Whether the people approve or not, of State Control, there will he leg’slation to implement the other numerous recommendations made by the Commission, notably the extended hours of sale, and the extended time between polls. As the Dominion President will, no doubt, deal with these matters, there is no need for me to say anything further just now’ except Be Prepared. Now, with regard to the resolutions passed at Convention, will delegates please note that it is not the business of the Branches to send them to Cabinet Ministers. That is the duty of the Legal and Parliamentary Superintendent. Branches should send them to local members of Parliament. Good work could he done in educating them. C. HENDERSON. Dominion Supt.