LICENSING ELECTIONS.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 1938, 7 September 1888, Page 3

LICENSING ELECTIONS.

■■ ♦ • So enormous are the evils which flow front the intemperate indulgence m intoxicating beverages, which is the curse of all or nearly all civilised communities, so dire and widespread is the misery which follows m the train of a vice which is the prolific mother of pauperism, disease, insanity, and crime, that we make large allowance for the aberrations of those earnest men who place themselves m the forefront of the battle against this enemy of society, this fell destroyer of home and happiness, of peace and purity. Yet though disposed to regard with an indulgent eye what might be considered venial examples of intemperate advocacy m a matter upon which feeling is necessarily so deeply stirred up, and m which enthusiasm sometimes begets trop dt zUe, we cannot but regret that men like Mr Glover should declare war a Voutrance against all who do not see with them eye to eye, and denounce as enemies those who, while willing to give the cause he so earnestly advocates substantial assist ance, are not ready to go all lengths with him. His bitterness against the member for Waimate m reference to the Licensing Committees Election Bill is a case m point. Mr Glover assumes, we think quite without warrant, that a system of annually elected Committees makes for sobriety, and a system of triennially elected Committees for intemperance — a proposition which indeed only requires to be stated to carry absurdity on its very face. The fact is, we think, rather, as argued by Mr Steward m a letter published m yesterday's " Guardian," the reverse, but m our opinion the question is rather one which should be dealt with on economic grounds. That is to say, we think the weight of argument goes to show that there would be better administration at one-third of the expense under the triennial than under the annual system of elections. As to whether or not the franchise should be extended to all adults, including adult women, that is, it seems to us, an entirely separate and distinct question, having no necessary connection, either near or remote, with that of the frequency of elections. If we are right m that view, than we do not see how any member m charge of a Licensing Committees Election Bill can be blamed for declining to allow the two things to be coupled together to the certain loss of both. It generally takes a good horse to win a race with one man on its back, and it would be the height of folly to try to run him with two men up. That is, m effect, Mr Steward's answer to Mr Glover anent the Licensing Committees Bill, and the answer is unanswerable.