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Hokitika Guardian, 27 September 1918, Page 2

That the licensing issue to come before the people for decision appears t-o be one of the certainties of the comparatively early future. This js being recognised bv (he No-License or Prohibition parly and a representative of that very active organisation is to address a public meeting here to-night on the question. In order the .'tetter to exercise individual opinion to-.iight.'s meeting should be favoured with a bumper attendance to glean what there is stjll to he learned on the general application of prohibition. The .penkcr to-night is drawn from another country, Canada, and will no doubt brnig forward some fresh and perhaps b-eezv views. Probably the New Zealand public are making up their minds on the question from what they sec about t r hem. and what- they have learned of prohibition during the quarter of a certury that local option has been oxer cised in Ibis country. Tt was in 1893 when no-license was carried in Clutlia. In 1902 Ashburton, and Mat-aura adopted no-license, and in 1905 Grey Lynn. Oatnaru, end Invercargill, went dry, while in 1908 Eden, Ohinenuiri, Masterton South, ’Wellington suburbs, niul Bruce adopted no-lieense. Oluiha has outvoted restoration ever since. Ashburton got a majority in favour of restoration. but not the necessary margin to restore. There seems to be a willingness to allow the existing system to continue in no-iicerme districts. In 1911

ini r..ah./..J i-r-ii fir piotautisn

k.ibsiamiaJ but there was a marked decline in 1914. Since then there has been no poll on the vexed question, and the live years' interregum leaves the quidnuncs much in doubt as to what will happen next year. The Prohibition Party s,re out betimes to educate the people from their point of view for the coming poll and with the new issues to arise, to-night’s meeting should not be missed by those in search of inturination on the burning subject.

“Ooncktitkd effort- in economy, both public and private,” as ail urgent need of the hour, was recommended by the president of the Auckland Employers' Association, Mr Albert- Spencer in his recent address from the chair. We should see, lie said that nothing wasponL on anything of non-essential character, and economy of effort should go hand-in-hand with economy of consumption. Every pound sent out if the Dominion for the purchase of luxuries was a pound hv which the Dominion was the poorer and every man engaged in unproductive, unremunerativo and non-essential work was a direct loss to the community. The State should regulate the matter and ensure that the public had not the chance to use imported luxuries whether in food, clothing ing or other matter and ensure that the public had not the chance to use imported luxuries, wether in food, clothing or other matters. The amount that would he lost in Customs duties would be made up two-fold in the in in-eased burdens of taxation. Waste took place every day in the distribution of foodstuffs by bakers, grocers, butchers coal-dealers and milkmen. Each tradesman had a few customers in eacn street, every round overlapping, causing consequent loss of time and material. The whole work of tion could be done in Wdf the tune and with half the employees if efficiently organised and the labour thiin .released could 'be profitably 'Whsed in essential industries. Concerted effort might be applied locally generally, and if money can be conserved within our own province it should he as well to do so But- trade is a matter of supply and demand and it is difficult to control it within a specified groove. The avoidance of waste, and the exercise ff economy as a prelude to thrift, is advice for these times, and families would do well to practice it, for there might bo lean times nhead. and closer that- it is safe to predict.