THE LICENSING LAW.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2657, 12 November 1909, Page 4

THE LICENSING LAW.

IMPORTANT A MEN DM ENTS. [Pick Pukss Association. I WELLINGTON.. Nov. 11. The Premier has given the following statement' as to tl'.e agreement which has been arrived at in regard to the amendments of the licensing laws “The security of such settlement/' said Sir Joseph Ward, “appeared in the circumstances almost an impossible task, but I asked my colleague, the Minister of Justice, to see what lie could do to effect this end. For some time past the Hon. Dr. Findlay lias been in touch with the representatives of both parties, and last week lie was able, owing to reasonable concessions being made, to induce each party independently to agree to the io.lowing amendments being made this year m the Licensing Act: — 1. In future two issues are to be put to the people—(a) That the number of licenses continue, (b) that no licenses be granted in the district. The issue, “That the number of licenses in the district be reduced,” is not in future to be put. In other words, the reduction issue is t-o be altogether eliminated in future polls. 2. Fifty-five hundredths of the votes recorded are to carry No-license. 3. Provision is to be made for national prohibition on the following plan: Every vote east for no-license in any district is to count for Dominion prohibition, and after the words in the voting paper, “I vote that no licenses be granted in the district,” are to be added the words, “This vote shall also be counted for Dominion prohibition.” 4. The majority of votes required to carry Dominion prohibition shall be fifty-five-one hundredths of all the votes cast.

5. Should Dominion prohibition be carried, it will not take effect for five years after the poll at* which it has been, carried, and after Dominion prohibition lias been carried no further vote shall be taken for three years after Dominion prohibition has been in effect. G. In future where “no license” is carried locally, it shall not take effect for two years after the poll at which it has been so carried. 7. In cases in which “no license” has already becq carried, every vote, east for" non-restoration shall count for national prohibition, and after the words on the voting paper, “I vote that licenses be not restored in the district” shall be added the words, “This vote shall also be counted for national prohibition.” 8. In future restoration may be carried in any no-license district if fifty-five-hundredths of the votes recorded are im favor of restoration. 9. Upon Dominion prohibition coming int-o effect, no intoxicating liquor of any kind shall be imported into, manufactured, or sold within the Dominion except for medical and; scientific purposes. “These proposals,” added Sir Joseph AYard, “have been carefully reduced to writing, and fully accredited representatives of each party have independently requested me to pass legislation embodying them this year, and each party has undertaken to do all in its power to promote the passage of this legislation. In case of any difference of opinion as to the draughtsmanship or terms of the proposed Bill, each party has bound itself independently to abide absolutely by the decision of the AttorneyGeneral.” A PROHIBITIONIST LEADER’S OPINION. DUNEDIN, Nov. 11. Iq conversation with an “Otago Daily Times” reporter to-night, Air. A. S. Adams, well known as one of the leaders of the no-license movement, said tlie main: reason for five years’ delay in national prohibition was that on its being carried the wholfe of the Dominion revenue derived from liquor would be struck off, aud as the Minister of Finance would have to effect, a readjustment. to the extent of £500,000 or £600.000 for a. few years until the new condition, of affairs had had time to assert itself and the revenue from the. in-evor-'wl consumption of other articles wmld "mount to a sufficient sum to replace the- revenue from liquor, it was considered fair to fix such a time limit.

• _ he said, valuable to T, he tradT because it would give the ipweraand licensees time to dispose ot tjreuei.s an investments for stocks a-nt * - Adams said that the their capital. against Bill ought.t 1 j rackless trading by HcenKS during the period of suspension 9 of Or. Smdlay, ,vi,„ S’hi4Ytl.e thine through from start to finish.