The Feilding Star. Published Daily. TUESDAY, MARCH 20, 1894. THE LICENSING ELECTIONS.

Feilding Star, Volume XV, Issue 268, 20 March 1894, Page 2

The Feilding Star. Published Daily. TUESDAY, MARCH 20, 1894. THE LICENSING ELECTIONS.

There has been no particular interest excited, so far, in the election to be held to-morrow of members for the licensing committee of the Rangitikei electoral district, therefore it is safe to assume that the candidates who have allowed themselves to be nominated are fairly representative and suitable men for the position. In the Palmerston North electoral district, where the circumstances are somewhat different to those of Rangitikei, insomuch that the number of hotel licenses in the former is alleged to be far in excess of the needs of the resident population, or of the travelling public, two distinct parties have been set up and candidates nominated by each of them. This shows that the prudence of the local bodies and licensing committees, who have in the past controlled affairs in this electorate, in limiting the number of licenses granted, has borne good fruit and as a consequence we will be spared all the trouble, worry, and expense, of a keenly contested election which must in the nature of things create possible ill feeling among men who otherwise would be if not good friends yet not bad neighbours. As to the polls on the questions of whether the licenses shall continue as at present ; be reduced ; or that no licenses be granted at all ; the members of the extreme temperance party have declared themselves boldly, and requested their brethren to vote that no publicans, accommodation, or bottle licenses, bo granted. This appears to be the platform universally adopted by that party in this colony and has, at least, the advantage of being drastic. The result as shown " when the numbers are up" will be interesting because thereby an absolute knowledge will be afforded in every electorate of the colony of the true strength of the party. Where the trade has been well regulated, as, for instance, in the case of Rangitikei, we anticipate that the majority of votes will be in favor of continuing the number of licenses as at present, but where it has been allowed to exceed, the actual requirements of the people and has, as a natural consequence, been badly j regulated, the electors will only be doing their duty to themselves in voting i for a reduction. We hold that the colony is not prepared to accept, or to make, such a sweeping change as to | abolish licenses altogether, nor do we think it desirable. We hold that whatever has to be done in that direction must be done gradually, by the force of example, by patience and , by forbearance ; for by compulsion it can never be effected. To-morrow the ! new Act will begin its period of pro- ! bation. We have been already warned by competent authorities that it bristles with inconsistences and contradictions. Whether that is so or not remains to be seen, but we have a certain amount of pity for those who will have to bear the brunt of proving it.