THE LICENSING POLL

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 172, 15 April 1919, Page 8

THE LICENSING POLL

SLIGHTLY AMENDED FIGURES

WAITING FOR SOLDIERS' VOTES

The arrival of final figures' from tlio Westland electorate hits made a slight change in tho licensing figures. The number of votes cast for continuance in Wcstland was 3097, and for prohibition 1-119, leaving a majority of IG-1S for continuance. Wheu these amended figures lire included in the civilian and military votes already, to hand, the totals are as follow :— Contimianoe 242,284 Prohibition 242,703

Majority for prohibition 419 Official counts from the electorates, including the absent voters' and seamen's permits, will begin to arrive during the next few days. Cablegrams reporting lurther results of voting abroad are also expected, while transports due to arrive here this week will bring ballot boxes used br the men on April 10. All votes cast aboard transports are to is counted in Wellington. The county <of votes cast bv soldiers in Now ZoivlMd will be undertaken in Wellington litis week.

OHINEMURI'S FINAI.^FICURES. By Telegraph—Press Association. Waihl, April 14. Belated returns from the Wairongomai received to-day supply tho missing totals for tho wholo of the Ohiuemuri electorate as follow:— . . Continuance 2288 Prohibition 2021 Majority for continuance ;.. 2G7 THE SOLDIERFVOTE IN ENGLAND PROPAGANDISTS WERE BUST. (Rec. April 14, 7.35 p.m.) London, April 11. An insignificant number of New Zealand soldiers failed to poll in the referendum. There was a certain rmount of propaganda work, including a -.lumber of motor-cars running between the London headquarters depots, carrying banners inscribed "Now Zealand Soldiers, Vote To-day for Liberty." . The Prohibitionists were also busy seeking out adherents. Considerable resentment was shown at the vote being taken in New Zealand while the soldiers were absent. j Sir Thomas Mackenzie's arrangements ensured that every man in the hospitals and camps had the opportunity of recording his vote.—Alls.-N.Z. Cable Assn. AUSTRALIAN PRESS COMMENT PRECONCEIVED IDEAS SHATTERED 1 Sydney, April 14. Tho "Sydney Morning Herald," in a leader, says: "All the preconceived ideas about the progress of prohibition in New Zealand are shattered by the vote taken last week. It is well within the margin of truth to say that the surprise of the prohibitionists : ill the Dominioli is 110 greater than the astonishment 011 the other side. The prohibitionists expected to win a substantial majority ; their opponents, if not exactly expecting defeat, certainly counted 011 its being a possibility, It is, however, not only in regard to the fate of the immediate issue that party organisations have shown that they judged the public mind rather mis-' takenly. Tho figures disclose what in all probability not a fraction of the (■immunity expected to learn. This is, that during the last eight years tho strength of the prohibitionists Jias been steadily waning, not only relatively to the votes cast, but actually; and the' vote for liquor lias been gathering strength." Dealing with the. soldiers' vote, the "Herald" points out that it is not the vote of irresponsible youth using the franchise .for the first time ill a spirit of levity. ' The Dominion' army abroad, is composed of men up to forty, a largo proportion being married men with families, and in every sense the flower of the country's manhood: yet.three out of four voted against prohibition.

•On the. question: "Does any reason exist for assuming' that their vote is not tlie reflex of the vote cast by New Zealand men generally?"-the "Herald" argues that compulsory prohibition is vastly more favoured by women than by nien. Tlu article adds: "It would be disturbing to think of the possibilities of prohibition being carried by a bare majority in a country where three out. of four men wore in the minority. Most people, we think, will admit this, and further, will concede that superficially the position in New Zealand is'open to the interpretation of being based 011 a conflict between tho sexes."