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Ordinance. The view we should take is that if the evil exists a remedy should be found. The Govern- ment is here to govern and if the Government cannot find a remedy we should take means to abolish an evil which is sapping the foundations of a great portion of the population. I beg to conclude by hoping that we shall come to some definite results to-day and not allow this question to be in abeyance as it has been to my certain knowledge for twenty years, and probably twenty years before that. (Applause.)

Mr. Ede--I see here an expert gentleman, Mr. McCallum. I should like to ask him whether it is possible to establish a standard that would not interfere with legitimate liquor and by which we should be able to ascertain if there were deleterious substances in the liquors sold.

Mr. McCallum-I think it is quite possible to fix a standard, both for foreign liquors and for Chinese liquors.

Dr. Hartigan---I beg to propose the following resolution: "That this meeting appoint a Committee of three members to enquire into the question of the working of the liquor laws of this Colony, and that the Government add two members thereto and give such Committee the power of a Commission.”

Mr. A. Findlay Smith seconded.

Mr. Coughtrie Mr. Chairman, do you think five members will be sufficient on the Committee ? might be necessary to have sub-Committees.

The Chairman-That is entirely a matter for yourselves to decide.

It

Mr. Dalrymple-Mr. Chairman, I beg to move the following amendment "That if it is considered advisable by the Justices present that a Committee or Commission should be appointed, that that Commission should be appointed by the Government entirely.” Personally I think that this is a matter which the Government should deal with. They are possessed of the necessary machinery, and I think it is the duty of the Government to take steps to prevent the importation and sale of injurious liquors.

Mr. Thurburn seconded the amendment.

The Chairman-I think I may as well say that when putting this resolution and amendment before you it will be well to bear in mind the fact that we have no facts before us at present on which we could ask for a Commission, and that it is possible that the Justices who have taken the initiative in the matter will be called upon to say in what way the evil exists. We have been told that it exists, but at present there is nothing before the Government to prove that it does, and I think that before they take such an important step as appointing a Commission they would like to be furnished with certain facts showing the nature of the evil. Before coming to a conclusion on this amendment and resolution I should like you to consider that point. It seems to me, gentlemen, that there will be no difficulty in obtaining sufficient grounds for the Government to go upon if we invite officers of the Navy, and Army, and the Mercantile Marine, to give us information on the matter. That information will be quite sufficient for the Government if it thinks proper to appoint a Commission.

Mr. Coughtrie-In regard to what you have just observed, the matter appears to me in exactly the same light. I think that certain facts should be brought out by the Committee of the Justices and represented to the Government. Upon these facts the Government may appoint a Commission with the fullest powers. My idea is that if the Justices elect a Committee of seven and take evidence there will be something for the Government to go upon. At present there is nothing to lay before the Government in a tangible form. I have a list of names here and I therefere beg to propose another amendment: “That Hon. H. E. Wodehouse, Rer. R. F. Cobbold, Dr. Hartigan, Mr. N. J. Ede, Mr. C. S. Sharp, Mr. D. R. Crawford, and Mr. H. L. Dalrymple form a Commission of seven to obtain all the information they can on this matter aud report to the general body of Justices."

Mr. Dalrymple-May I ask if the Government would itself give powers to any Committee in the collation of facts?

The Chairman--Of course I am unable to answer that.

Mr. Coughtrie-We are here at the request of the Government for the purpose of making a recommendation to the Government, and I am of opinion--

The Chairmau-I think the Government would like general facts.

Mr. Coughtrie-How can we get them unless we have the power? (Applanse.)

The Chairman--What I suggested was that the officers of the Navy and Army and the Mercantile Marine would be able to supply us with the necessary facts sufficient for the Government to take action

upon.

Mr. Coughtrie--I am afraid the Committee would like wider information than that.