THE LIQUOR LAW.

Gisborne Times, Volume X, Issue 993, 12 September 1903, Page 1

THE LIQUOR LAW.

ATTITUDE OE THE PROHIBITIONISTS.'

Members are looking forward to an early appearance of a Bill affecting the liquor trade, and there is a good deal of speculation as to what its exact contents may be. Apparently the Prohibition party are preparing for a keen fight in the likely event of the Bill not meeting their views. In fact, as I have stated in previous telegrams, it is perfectly well understood that the Prohibition party desire nothing more than a provision for second polls in cases where the first polls have been declared invalid. The Prohibition party is of course in a considerable minority in the House, and the attitude they intend taking up on a general Licensing Bill, should such be introduced, may be fairly inferred from the fact that the temperance organisations throughout the colony have been sending telegrams to members of Parliament, urging them to stop the passage of the proposed new Standing Orders. The adoption of the closure would, of course, take from the Prohibition minority the power which they undoubtedly possess to block any Bill to which they are strongly opposed, and from this point of view the proposed Standing Orders have a distinct bearing on the fate of any Licensing Bill that may be brought forward. A new difficulty affecting the licensing question has been created by the City Single Electorates Bill. Before this Bill passed through committee in the House of [Representatives, a clause was inserted providing that the boundaries {of the city licensing districts shall not be affected by the splitting up of the Parliamentary electorates, but it appears that the clause is not likely to effect the purpose for which it was intended. Under the present law the returning officers for the Parliamentary electorates are the returning officers for the licensing polls, and if the present nity electorates are cut into, three there will h® " , turning officer for fb® *' no re- I trict, and it is '—" ' „ licensing dis--diffioul*-" , iiute likely that other ...os may arise unless provision is made to meet them. Ihe City Single Electorates Bill has, of course, yet to pass through the Legislative Council, but it is evidently a popular measure, and there is a good deal of interest manifested in how the. Government will meet the difficulties it raises, as affecting the licensing questions, as well as the numerous other difficulties surrounding the licensing laws.—New Zealand Herald.