The Feiling Star. Published Daily. "FRIDAY, JANUARY 5, 1894. THE LICENSING ELECTIONS.

Feilding Star, Volume XV, Issue 207, 5 January 1894, Page 2

The Feiling Star. Published Daily. "FRIDAY, JANUARY 5, 1894. THE LICENSING ELECTIONS.

» All of those electors, who by their having neglected, or being unable to record their votes at the last general election, have had their names struck off the Electoral Roll of the dis trict in which they are entitled to vote, should take the necessary steps to have them put on again with as little delay as possible. It is very important that this should be done, because the Licensing Committee Elections will take place in March next, when it will oe a matter of quite as much importance that every elector should exercise the franchise, as when doing so for the election of members of the House of Representatives. In this connection we endorse the following opinions expressed by the EveniDg Post : — '• What the electors should do at the March elections is to secure the return of a Licensing Committee composed of moderate, impartial men, neither extremists in temperance nor yet in any way connected with the liquor trade, but who should be pledge 1 to insist on every licensee providing accommodation for the lodging and board of travellers and visitors. There are many licensed houses in which at present , neither a bed nor a meal can be ob- : tamed, and whose sole business is to sell drink. To the licensees of such places the option of forthwith catering for more legitimate requirements should be given, and, if not accepted, the renewal should be refused. The electors will act wisely in confining their action to the election of a moderate, sensible Committee, the members of which can be trusted to exercise their functions in a judicious manner, and to insist on the fulfilment of all the conditions of the law. The i committeemen may be voted for without any vote being recorded in regard to the number of licenses. The Legislature has secured to every elector on the roll the right to express his or her opinion as emphatically by not voting as by voting on the direct question. Not voting will secure that things shall be left as they are — within the discretion of the Committee to insist on proper accommodation being provided by licensees of houses, and that the requirements of the law are 1 strictly complied with, but without any power to increase the number of licenses.