The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. GISBORNE, MAR, 18. 1906. LICENSING ELECTION.

Gisborne Times, Volume XIX, Issue 1696, 13 March 1906, Page 2

The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. GISBORNE, MAR, 18. 1906. LICENSING ELECTION.

The election of a Licensing Committee to-day must naturally arouso a great deal of interest when double the number of candidates required are offering, though of course it is not to be expe'oted that the polling will be anything like as heavy as on general election day. The unfortunate aspeot about the oontest to-day. is that many people; instead of oasting their votes for those who would comprise the best judicial benob, will simply be guided by partisan feelings, - and instead of using tboir judgment as to tho merits of the individual candidates, will oast their votes for a•* ticket” The' main issue of license or Do-lio'ense bas 'betSn effectively settled for a t fin, but .some would have us 'believer that incessant' strife is to be pre I ferred to judicial adminietration of the law as it at present stands. In the old "L’brnsipg Committee the distrust posr'ssed a body of men of*, a calm, deliberative’ turn of mind, who have given long and faithful service to the I peoplo in numerous pub'io oapaoitiaj. To fcaro ; loft the administration to, those gentlemen would have saved tbo ratepayers hundreds of pounds and ensuied capable administration of the law as it

stands. There is no doubt that some of the genilemeu nominated to opp:se the old committee are well qualified for BDy public position,.hot not more so than, tbe old committee, nor than Mr A. Dewing, or I the valiant West End champion James I Whinray. It is a matter for regret that peopie aro not left a free and independent ohoioe regarding eaoh individual; cerlainly Obey -have'., that right,' buf ai'e [ being asked to cast it aside, I and , to cling to 'tbe “ t’ckat ” eoheme. Our advice to’tbe electors is- t!o carefully weigh the merits of the oandid ' ates, and choose those who have proved I their devotion to tbe public interest, and I who ace likely to administer the l»w judio'a’ly, end not to make theic position eub

servient to party bias. A tiDge of sadness is given to the oontest by the boI reavement of Mr Dunoan Hepburn. We I hope that that gentleman's many friends will rally to the poll while he is overcast by the deep sorrow Caused by tbe loss of bis dear wife, a lady whose memory will [ever be cherished by the early settlers, Mr Hepburn bas always been a most attentive and diligent representative of tbe public, and we hope to B9e him again in bis usual place well up to tbe top of the poll. ■•*■■■