Public Opinion

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 15, Issue 7, 8 March 1950, Page 4

Public Opinion

Though their views on all subjects are freely published here because we believe it our duty to uphold the public’s right to freedom of opinion, our correspondents’ opinions are not necessarily shared by this newspaper. LICENSING POLL Sir, —Electors in this district should be grateful to your correspondent “Spectator” for drawing attention to the , completely inadequate arrangements made for people to record their votes in the Licensing Committee election. The leading article in your paper followed by “Spectator’s” letter were the’first indications that people in this district had that an election was to be held. It appears that not only will it be necesary for some people to travel 20 or 30 miles to vote but they had to buy a paper published 200 miles away, even to find out that nominations were being invited for the various positions. In an enlightened community every adult feels that it is a patriotic duty to make a study of important public questions and then to record an informed vote. On this occasion the decisions to be made by the new Licensing Committee are of much greater importance than is usual. However if one has to make a long journey to record a vote it must tend to smother patriotic instincts. The present petition can scarcely be described as democratic or in the public interest. ' ' Yours etc., / “ANOTHER SPECTATOR” Whakatane, March 7.