ME GLADSTON ON LICENSING.

Inangahua Times, Volume II, Issue II, 6 September 1880, Page 3

ME GLADSTON ON LICENSING.

In the debate on Sir W. Liwson's • resolution on Friday night, Mr Glad* stone snys ;— I hope that at no very distant period it may be found practicable to deal with the licensing laws, and to include the reasonable and just applican tion *>f the prinoiple for which my lionfriend contends, (cheers). We all go together up to a certain pomt. We all recognise and allow that the evils of in toxication in this country are not merely great but monstrous, (hear, hear). Their extent, and their depth, and intensity are hardly to be described, but having made that admission, our pal In bedn to sopar ate. Now, Ido not agree with this, thnt legislation is impotent in this matten Legislation has great power in the removal of the possible sources of temptation ; and the question will be to what extent, in what manner, and under what conditions legislation caa be employed at the suitable moments for the purpose of lessening or removing these sources of temptation. I think the morer and the Seconder are right in holding that it is eminently and peculiarly from among the people themselves that the movement and the expression of sympathy and the dpsire for measures of this kind can proceed. It is to a great extent the true genuine extinct of the popular' mind which disposes so many of our fellow citizens to desire to calf^into/ aofion external restraints in aid oHbVrr best inclinations an! to assist iliom in resisting their worst (cheers). For myself, I ajs one cf those who, having regard ti^e R^jj^ structure of the licensing lnrs< am tii^H ughly dissatisfied with them, but I rn^p say what will not be regretted by my' hon. friend, I am no believer in monoN poly either in this or any other matte > Parliament has been busy for ten or twelve years employed in bolstering up monopolies, in tightening and enhancing monopolies, in adding to those artificial values which attach to property in public houses, and which ; in my opinion, are by far the most inveterate and deadly enemies with which my hon. friend has to contend (cheers). I believe that simply in proportion as you wind up higher and hisher the restrictive laws which tend to enhance value and restrict the number of public houses, you multiply and raise to a higher point the obstacles with which Ton have to deal. I think it is only fair to make that admission, bat w ; th regard to the question which my hon. friend has brought before us, I will say these two things in conclusion* First of all, I be* lieve that among the great subjects which called for the attention of the Executive at an early period, as soon as the com« peting pressure of some other great subjects will permit, will be the reform of the licensing laws ; and secondly, I believe tl>»t that reform is so evidently called for, and is so favoured by the circumstances in which we now stand, that I regard it as an essential part of the work and mission of the present Parliament (cheers.) I have no prejudice on the Bubjeo', but I am glad to ha"7e at least the pardon, if not <ho approval, of my hon. friend if I decline to express by my vote a distinct adhesion to the naked expression of an abstract principle on this subject until I feel myself armed with gome practical plan which I am in a conn clition ■to recommend to approval ana adoption (loud cheers).