STATE-OWNED HOTELS.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1150, 10 June 1911, Page 5

STATE-OWNED HOTELS.

WEST AUSTRALIAN LICENSING POLL. By Telegraph—Press Association—OoDyrieht Perth, June 9. The final returns of the local option poll are as follow:— For the State holding all new licenses 27,007 Against ...» 14,378 , Majority for 12,629 For State management of the hotels 2G.G31 Against 14,911 Majority for 11,667 'A CURIOUS LOCAL OPTION. Local option was established in Western Australia by an Act passed last year. Tho measure is a curious one. It is provided that a poll is to be taken in every district in or before April, 1911, and in every third year thereafter (1920 excepted). Tho resolutions to be submitted aro:—(a) That the number of licenses existing in the district continue, (b) That tho number of licenses existing in the district be increased, (c) That the number of licenses existing in the district be reduced, (d) That no licenses he granted or renewed in the district. If resolution (d) has been previously carried and is in forco in the district, the resolution submitted will be: (e) That licenses be restored in tho district. The resolutions (a), (c), and (d) are not to bo submitted to the electors until after December 21, 1920. At tho taking of every local option vote, tho following questions will also bo put before the electors:—(l) Do you vote that all new publican's general licenses in the district shall be held by the State? and (2)Are you in favour of State management throughout the district? Resolutions (a), (b), and (c) are deemed to be carried if a majority in number of the votes given 13 in favour of any such resolution, provided that if resolution (b) has not been carried, the votes given in favour of that resolution shall, if resolution (a) has been submitted at tho same time, be added to tho votes given for resolution (a), and shall be deemed to have been given in favour of resolution (a). Resolution (d) is carried if three-fifths at least in number of the votes given are in favour of that resolution, provided that where it has not been carried, the votes given for it shall be added to those given for resolution (c). Resolution (e) is carried if three-fifths at least in number of the votes given are in favour of it. It is also provided that resolution (d) or (e) shall not bo carried unless thirty per cent, or more of the number of electors in tho licensing district vote for such resolution.