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The Pamphlet Collection of Sir Robert Stout: Volume 74

The Liquor Question

The Liquor Question

was an everlasting one. Last session there was an amending Bill which gave some large reforms. Every elector would have the opportunity to vote on any one or two of the proposals, and his vote would be cast for the option he liked best or next best The vote was to be taken on the day of the general election so a to get a large vote. The question as to whether the number of licenses should remain or be reduced would be determined by a simple majority, but for total prohibition the majority must be three-fifths. If reduction were carried the bill provided that is districts where there were ten or less, at least one license was by be refused, and where larger numbers existed the minimum education would be in proportion. On election day, too, the hotel were to close from noon till 7 p.m., and that was, he thought, [unclear: a] wise provision. (Applause.) The number of members of a committee was to be reduced from 9 to 6, and the Stipendise Magistrate was to be the president. These were reforms which placed them in advance of many countries, and while he though it was right the people should decide the question, he agreed that it was proper and better that the enforcement of prohibition should be by a larger than a bare majority. He was nota a [unclear: as] hibitionist, but he did say it was right to do all they could promote temperate living. He did not think it right for one [unclear: J] dictate to another whether he should drink stout or tea-by thought they were both good in their place and in moderation He thought every good citizen should do all he could to preved excess in drinking as in everything else. In New Zealad sobriety had been increasing gradually and regularly for years and in his opinion such a gradual improvement was [unclear: a] effective than any arbitrary or dictatorial measures were likely to be, (Applause.) The latest statistics showed that when in 1878 the annual consumption of spirits per head of adult [unclear: ma] page 13 was 4¾ gallons, it was now less than half that, while the consumption of beer had decreased from If gallons to a 1¾ gallon per head of all, males and females, over 15. That ought to be regarded as a very satisfactory record. 'I he consumption of alcoholic liquors was less in New Zealand than in almost any colony or state. In Queensland it amounted to £4 17s 6d, in Victoria £8 4s, and in New Zealand £2 17s 2d per head. New Zealand was one of the most sober countries in the world.