LOCAL OPTION POLL

Gisborne Times, Volume XIX, Issue 1627, 15 December 1905, Page 2

LOCAL OPTION POLL

OPINIONS IN AUCKLAND. (Per Press Association.) Auckland, last n’ght. At the Mot-hodiet District Synod, the Rev. C. H. Garland, in dealing with the local option poll, said : “ Now that another battle has been fought and you are woary from tho fray, and some of ycu, perhaps, dispirited at the result of tho fight, suffer mo to point out the onward

movement your ranks have made in the province of Auckland, In 1902, out of 14 electorates in tho pvovineo 10 recorded a majority for license and four for nolicense. Last week these numbers wore exactly reversed, and to-day tbe liquor party is in tho ascendant in four electorates, and wo in 10. In 1902 Auckland City showed that uo-licoose votes wore in a minority of 821. La t week wo changed

that minority into a majority of 242 ; in other word}, whilst the other side had iucreased its vote by 411, wo increased curs by 1474. In 1902, throughout 14 electorates of the province, 99,145 votes were recorded for continuance and 28,662 for prohibition ; ib-it is, wo were then ia a minority of 4483. List week, 36 816 wore oast for continuance, and for no-liceuso

41,082, so that wc kavo changed the provincial minority of 4483 into a majority of 4158, or maio a total not gain of 8611. The ‘ license ’ vote increased by 3751, the no-license by 12,420. Whilst the other side have advanced 11 per cent, wo havo advanced 43 per cant. Ia every one of the provincial electorates, without exception, the records of la:t week showed a relative increase of strength on the side of no-lieenso. Some reviewers profesß ta sso in tbe3o returns an evidence of our tx bnustiou and discovery of what they call a 1 set-brek ’ to the no-licanso sontiment. They are welcome to all the comfort derivable from such a conclusion. As for ourselves, wo thank God and take courage."