PROHIBITION LEADING

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 169, 11 April 1919, Page 8

PROHIBITION LEADING

HEAVY ANTI-LIQUOR VOTE

MAJORITY 12,195

RESULT YET UNCERTAIN

OVER 50,000 VOTES 10 COME The licensing poll, -which took place yesterday, aroused keen interest throughout New Zealand. Berth parties worked hard to get the voters to the polling bootlis, and the number of votes cast, including the votes of the soldieirs in New Zealand and abroad, probably will prove to have been larger than the total of the votes recorded at the licensing poll of 1914, when thero -was the additional stimulus of a general election to draw the electors to the polling booths. The number of civilian elootore whose votes were recorded in New Zealand yesterday was bolween -165,000 and 470,000 against 504,659 votes cast at the 1914 poll. But in addition'thero were approximately 10,000 soldier voters in the Dominion and 35,000 soldier voters abroad, while many thousands of people used absent voters' permits and seamen's permits. , No official announcement cf the result of the voting was mado last night. But the following figures, compiled in official quarters, show-the totals of the figures that reached the Chief Electoral Officer up to midnight:— CONTINUANCE 225,921 PROHIBITION 238,116 MAJORITY FOR PROHIBITION 12,195 Some of the district figures in eluded in these totals were not complete. The totals, moreover, do not include any soldiers' votes, or any votes recorded.by means of absent voters' permits or seamen's permits. It is generally anticipated that the votes still to he counted will include a very large proportion of votes recorded in favour of continuance. Some of the soldiers now in New Zealand voted as civilians yesterday, and wore counted in the ordinary way. But tho great majority of the men are believed to have voted as soldiers under the special provisions of the Act authorising the poll. The votes of these soldieTß will be' counted in Wellington after the special ballot boxes reach the Chief Electoral Officer, and.it is'likely that no figures will be available for some days. The soldiers abroad, who are entitle! to vote, are stated by the Minister of Defenco to number 34,341. The results of the voting in the United Kingdom, Egypt, and Samoa will be transmitted to New Zealand by cablegram, but there may be a delay of three weeks or more before tho last result is obtained from transports at sea. Tho number of absent voters' permits used yesterday appears to have been exceptionally large. There were 381 absent votes recorded in ona Wellington electorate yesterday. The total for the Dominion may be as high as 10,000. In addition there are believed to have been between 2000 and 3000 seamen's votes cast yesterday. There are enough permits to affect the result of the poll materially. IN THE MAIN CENTRES

1 DETAILS OF THE VOTING

SOUTH ISLAND

AT THE POLL AND AFTER i

LITTLE EXCITEMENT BIG STREET CROWDS AT NIGHT. Probably in no other part of the world are elections mnjiaged so quietly as in New Zealand. After all the clamour and speech has died away, the election itself comes as more or less a peaceful calm. It was so in Wellington yesterday. There was little or nothing in the way of incident to record in the city. During the morning, even, in the vicinity of the big mid-city booths, a stranger would uever guess that a big issue was-being settled (for the time being, at least), and fte would certainly not calculate that - for the first time in the history of the country a Dominion-wide referendum was being taken. At iniddaj most people left their work for the day, and Die poll clerks were kept a little busier than had been the case during the forenoon. Jn the afternoon the whole of the retail business places put up their shutters, the hotels closed up the bars, and Wellington bore the appearanco of an animated Sunday. A section of the community put on their best clothes, and gave the picture theatres the advantage of their afternoon oft", and others strolled the streets quietly discussing the one big question in all its varying phases and complexities. During the evening the public, turned out in large numbers to view tlio results as exhibited by the various newspaper offices. These commenced to make their appearance at 7.30 p.m., and from that 011 the totals for both columns began to swell pretty well equally for a tnno. At 9 p.m. Continuance was leading by a head on the aggregate, and a little later had established a lead of GOOO odd votes (for those results to hand from all parts of the country). At 9.15 p.m. !Nahonal Prohibition had reduced t the lead substantially, and it was evident that the struggle was going to bo a keen one to the end. A few minutes later, with 40 returns in from as many electorates, Continuance was only loading by 2300 yores, and at 10 p.m. the lead was still turther reduced to 1700 votes. Froni that out until a late hour, National Prohibition began to crack on pace, and long before 11 p.m. had established a solid lead, unti at 11, p.m. its majority had reached 13,000 over Continuance. The Test of the story may as well he l©ft to the figures. The crowds watched the changing figures placidly and lalmly. Many were noticedutaking down figures, and here and there little debates were being held as to how "things were going, ', but there i was none of that feeling which chavacterises a political contest. NOTES FROM OTHER CENTRES. By TclcErnph—l'ress Association. Christchurch, April 10. Much interest was taken in the licensing poll. Tlio morning was very wet, and the prospects of a large vote were very doubtful. The iam ■ cleared up shortly after noon, the. rest ot the day being beautiful and fine, but cold. In the evening huge crowds congregated in Cathedral Square to "ituess the posting

up of the results by the city newspapers, the concourse greeting each successive change with volleys of cheers. Hokitika, April 10. There was fine woather for the polling to-day. Owing to a heavy storm in South Westland the deputy returning officer was unable to get tnrough to Okura yesterday, the mountain track being blocked by trees and .slips. He made a further attempt this afternoon, and expected to get through during the night. The voting at Okura will take place to-morrow. PURGED ROLLS USED AT YESTERDAY'S ELECTION. It was noticed by many thousands of electors that the poll clerks yesterday engaged in taking the referendum poll were usiiiß. heavily-purged rolls. At a dance it seemed as though a fifth or a sixth of the names un each sheet were ruled out with red ink. An inquiry was made from the Chief Electoral Officer (Mr. James Hislop), who stated' that the main 101 l being used throughout the Dominion was the general electoral roll of 1914. 'which, had been made as nearly correct as it was possible to do—hence the heavy markings noticed. Great Pains have been taken to i.lennse the roll of 1914. and in addition a now supplementary roll had been its compilation widely advertised. HOW MANY SOLDIERS. There must be a good deal of speculation as to tho number of soldiers' votes to be recorded iu the poll. The number recorded in New Zealand will bo known in a very short time, but the votes recorded at 6ea and abroad will not all be known for some weeks. In al] there nro 34,341 New Zealand soldiers yet to return to New Zealand. The number is made up as follows: —At sea, 12,109; in Franco and .the United Kingdom, 19,520; 'in Egypt, 2492; and in Samoa (approximately), 220. THE 1914 POLL DETAILS OF THE VOTING Following nro the results of the polling for national prohibition at the.local option poll held in December, 1914:— License Districts. National Prohibition. For For Total C'ontiuu- Pro- valid District. ' ance. hibition. votes. Bay of Islands 3,100 2,918 6,018 Maisden 2,51)1 3.27(i 5,807 luipam 2,719 3,194 5,913 Wniteuiala ..'. 4,097 4,510 8,607 Auckland 12,140 1(1,357 22,497 l'arnell 4,160 4,053 9,119. M.inukau 4,272 4,918 9,190 I'iaiiklin 2.993 3,565 6,558 Raglan 2,887 3,639 6,526 Thames 2,494 3,167 0,661 Taurnnga 3,141' 3,504 6,703 Waikato 3,352 4,500 7,852 Hay ot' Plenty 3,807 3,178 6,985 Taumarunui 4,413 3,251 7,GG7 Gisborne 4,215 3,872 8,087

Hurake's Buy 1,180 3,882 8,082 Napier 4,007 3,051 7,118 W'aipawa 3.299 2,048 0,247 P,;hiatun 2,501 2,413 4,97-1 Wairarapa 3,483 2,559 0,012 Stratford 2,180 2,725 4,905 'L'aranaki 2,712 3,475 (i.187 Esmont 2,412 3,0G8 5,478 J'utca . 3,023 3,477 6,500 Wansaiiui .. .. 3,777 3,908 7,683 Waimarino 3,030 • 2.422 6,052 Oroua . 2,514 2,750 5,294 Jiniifiitikei 2,868 2,394 5,202 hilmereton 3,554 3,51!) 7,073 Otaki ... 2,900 2,29!) 5,259 llutt ... 3,870 3,067 0,937 Wellington 13,891 9,782 23,073 Xelson 3,(100 : 2,907 0,507 Motucka 2,850 1,879 4,729 liuller 2,330 2,881 5,217 Grey 3,4(16 3,118 0,584 tVestland ! 3,135 2.260 5,401 \Vairnu 3,780 2,732 0,512 Ilurmiui 2,950 1,918 4,874 Kaiapoi 2,877 2,992 5.869 Cliristchurch 12,035 11,830 24,471 I'ircarton 3,397- 3,426 7,323 Avoi 4,000 4.247 8,307 Lyttelton 3,483 3,418 6,901 Ellesraere 2,912 2,458 5,370 Si-lwvn 3,070 2,310 5.350 "'imaru 3,501 3,819 7,380 Twuuka 2,853 2,666 5,524 Wr.itaki 2,732 3.123 5.555 Oiapto Central 3,044 2,613 5,057 Dunwlin 11.708 11,033 22,741 P.medin South .... 4,206 3,050 7,954 Cl.-aliuors 2,933 • 3,209 6,142 Walaitipu 2,584 1,915 4,499 Wallace .'. 2,791 2,215 5,000 Am auia 2,425 2,157 4,882 Totals 219,719 205,400 425,119 No-License Districts Men 3,477 6,028 9,505 Grey Lynn 3,495 5,051 8,540 f'liinemuri 2,562 3,045 5,607 Masterton 3,331 2,895 6,226 Wellington South... 3,768 3,624 7,412 Wellington Suburbs and country districts 3,213 3,152 - 6,365 Ashburton 3,449 2,083 0,132 fMini.ru 3,100 3,203 6,309 Bruce ?,GO3 2,712 5,375 Olutha 2,359 2,599 4,958 Mutaiira 2,504 2,927 5,491 lnvereargill • 3,1)50 3,SOS 7,554 Totals 37,723 41,817 79,540 Grand'totals ... 257,442 247,217 504,659 Comparing the national prohibition polls of 1911 and 1914, it is seen that fewer 'votes were recorded for the proposal in 1914 than in 1911, though the total number of valid votes was considerably higher. .The figures for the two noils are:— Votes recorded for. Percentage of total. Year of Pro- Continu- Pro-Contiim-pnll. hibition. ance. hibition. ance. 1911 259,943 205,661 55.83 44.17 1914 247,217 257.442 48.99. ' 51.01 An actual majority of the valid votes recorded were for national prohibition in . 31 of the 08 districts in 1914, as against 59 in 1911. A comparison with the local option poll shows that in 1914 10,963 more votes were cast for local continuance or restoration than against national prohibition. and 17,743 more votes'were recorded for national prohibition than for local no-license. The corresponding figures -for 1911 were 31,304 and 25,287.

AUCKLAND _. . . ; • ■ Majority for Majority for Total Electorate.' . Continuance. Prohibition. Continuance. Prohibition. Votes AUCKLAND CENTRAL ... 3,516 2,076 l,4*u - 5 o92 AUCKLAND EAST 3,612 2,798 814 - 6410 AUCKLAND WEST 3,674 3,835 - 161 7,509 - . ■•• ' 10,802 8,709, 2,254 • ■ 161 19,511 WELLINGTON _. ■ , ' „■ ». , Majority for Majority for Total Electorate, Continuance. Prohibition. Continuance. Prohibition. Votes. -WELLINGTON NORTH... 4,757' ' 3,377 1,38U _, b,l34: WELLINGTON CENTRAL 4,442 2,551 1,891 - 6 993 . WELLINGTON EAST 3,820 3,395 425 - 7,215 WELLINGTON SOUTH... 3,791 3,636 155 . - 7,427 WELLINGTON SUBURBS 3,225 3,366 ' _ 141 6,591 HUTT 3,793 3,550 243 - - 7,343 23,828 19,875 4,094 141 43J03 CHRlSTCHURCH Majority tor Majority for Total Electorate, Continuance. Prohibition, Continuance, Prohibition, Votes CHRLSTCHURCH EAST... 3,940 " 2,865 1,075 - 6,805 CHRISTCHURCH NORTH 4,257 4,516 - 259 8,773 CHRlSTCHURCH SOUTH 3,471 3,723 - 252 7,194 11,668 ir,104 1,075 511 22,772 DUNEDIN Majority tor Majority for Total Electorate, Continuance; Prohibition. Continuance Prohibition. Votes DUNEDIN v.. 2,927 3,704 _ 677 6 631 DUNEDIN NORTH 2,708 4,359 - 1,651 7 067 DUNEDIN SOUTH ......... 3,401 4,493 - 1,092 7 894 DUNEDIN WEST < 2,987 3,875 - 88S 6,862 12,023 16,431 - 4,308 28,454

NORTH ISLAND Majority for Majority for Total Electorate, Continuance. Prohibition. Continuance, Proniuitmn. .Votes, AUCKLAND CENTRAL ... 3,olo z.uiu i,*±u -- 5,uy2 AUCKLAND EAST 3,iiU z.iva 614 - «,4to AUCKLAND WEST 3,ti<<t 3,83o - 161 7,o09 BAY OE ISLANDS 2,149 2,ob9 — 43U 4,716 BAY OE PLENTY 3,Ulf 221 -. 6,255 EDEN 3,8Uu 6,322 — 2,016 lu,i28' egmont" 2,ti39 ~ 428 4 ' 8d0 fbastklin""""!!'.!'.'.!!!!'.'.!" 2,007 '*> m - l > m m GISBOME a i a&8 3 ' 406 - luu *®> m GREY LYNN 3,740 V<i4 - !' ui6 8^ilJ HAWKE'S BAY 3 ,U17 ;i . sa3 84 - 7 > 7ij0 JJTJTT 3,7 l J3 3,o6U 2<l3 — 7,343 kaipaba"!!!'.'.!!!!!!!!'.!'.!!!'.!'.! 2.180 2,495 — ■ 315 ;1 > UT5 MANUKAU '. . 4,O0li . — !^ 69 M 7 1 MARSDEN 2,0(52 3,009 - 947 5,071 MASTERTON 2,027 2,004 2a — *o,231 NAPIER . ... ' 3,762 3,672 y0 - 1 > m - ohinemuri ■;:...: :::::: w® - 4,231 OffiOUA 2,260 2,768 — 508 0,028 OTAKI »,301 2,432 - 131 4,733 PAHTATUA 2 ,277 2 ,202 75 ~ 4 ' 479 JlSoi":::::: w w - 709 w ptS A 2, 777 3,660 - 889 U ' 443 PAPTATT ' "'" 2,653 3,611 - 958 *6,204 ' 2,447 2,395 52 - 4,842 'ruUNATCT 21)40 3,829 - 1,183 6,475 lAllAJNAlU „> „'. r7 an _ »p 004 taumarunui 3 > 237 j> 1 "' 80 r ,, ?'f;,7 TATnUTWA 3,223 3,874 — 051 7,09< THAMES ' 2120 2,488 - 308 *4,C08 WAiKATO '1-266 - 1,017 7,515 WABIAEINO 2,833 1,873 960 - 4,.0G WAIPYWA '" 2.891 2,741 150 - 5,632 WAIRARAPA 2..09 42, - o,UJL WATTTCMATA 3,470 4,,00 — 1,291) ■ »,^JU wiSm.:::::::::::::::::: - 393 ,87 WELLINGTON CENTRAL 4,442 2,55 1,891 - W WELLINGTON EAST 3,820 3 39b 425 - 7 215 WELLINGTON NORTH ... 4,«57 3,3,7 1380 - »»W* WELLINGTON SOUTH ... 3,791 3,630 155 -• 7,4.7 WELLINGTON SUBURBS 3,225 3,366 - 141 MJl "Incomplete.

Majority for Majority for Total Electorate Continuance. Prohibition, Continuance. Prohibition, Votes, ASHBURTON 2,91)7 2,487 610 - 6.481 AVON 3,720 4,329 - 609 8,049 AWARIJA :.... 2,150 2,298 - 148 4,448 BRUCE 2,007 2,323 - 316 *4,330 BULLER 2,389 1,893 496 - 4,282 CHALMERS 2,008 3,705 —. 2,697 6,713 CHRISTCHURCH EAST ... 3,940 2,865 1,075 — 6,806 CHElSTCHUllGLlc NORTH 4,257 4,516 - 259 8,ai CHRISTCHURCH SOUTH 3,471 3,723 - 252 < 194 CLUTHA 1,734 2,394 - 660 4,128 DUNEDIN CENTRAL 2,927 3,704 - 777 6,631 ,. DUNEDIN NORTH 2,708 4,359 — l,6ol .7,067 DUNEDIN SOUTH 3,401 4,493 — 1,092 7,894 DUNEDIN WEST 2,987 3,875 — 888 6,862 ELLESHERE 2,514 2,067 447 - 4,581 GREY 3,242 1,835 1,407 - 5,077 HURTJNUI 2,525 1,731 794 - '4,256 INVEROARGILL 3,209 4,155 - 946 7,364 KAIAI'OJ 2,728 2,554 174 - 5,282-1 LYTTELTON 3,024 3,106 — 82 6,130 MATAURA ., 2,217 2,728 - 511 4,945 MOTUEKA 2,585 1.850 73o - '4,435 NELSON 3,037 2,916 121 - 5,9o3 OAMAEU 2,522 3,109 - 5b, 5 631 OTAGO CENTRAL 2,147 2,264 - . Hi 4,411 „ RICCARTON 3,884 3,386 - 2 b,<70 SELWYN 2,306 1,908 458 - *4,2i4 TEMUICA 2.769 2,530 239 - 5,299 TDIARU 2.995 4,049 - 1,054 7,044 WAIRAU 2,9S3 2,729 254 - 5,712' WAITAKI 2,289 2,698 — 309 4,887 WAKAT1PU 2,180 1,870 310 - '4,050 WALLACE 2,176 1,954 222 - 4,130 WESTLAND 3,047 1,428 1,619 - 4,475 "Incomplete.