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Hokitika Guardian, 3 December 1918, Page 2

The excellent position in regard to the decline of the epidemic should give the people heart to look forward to the Christmas and New Year with the best of confidence. J.n the ordinary course of events, the lifting of the shadows of war should have let in much sunshine hitherto clouded by the dire, circumstances of the strain and the drain of war. The terrors of tfiat event passed. to be succeeded immediately by an event of more local importance—a decimating epidemic. The visitation has had deadly effect, taking under its ban, many noble men and women, and leaving vacancies in homes it. will never be possible to fill. To ibo bereaved there has been an overflowing feeling <>f deepest sympathy and personal coucern j and it is exceedingly goo*to know that, everything that, could he done humanly to stem the tide of disease was attemped and performed wit!praiseworthy sacrifice and nobleness or spirit by a band of fearless enthusiastic workers. The future is before u> ever, and looking forward there is always the task ahead for spontaneous attention. The festive season draw > near, and while it will be approached with very mixed feelings by many, thousands will welcome it as heralding in a time of real peace for the world efprge, and presaging the return of many a dear one after long and arduous service on the other side of the world. There will be gratitude and rejoicing to express, and though the holi-

day.-, wiil not, be as other holidays hare been in loss clouded days, the occasion for brightness will he warranted and it will be a relief to know that the sacrifice and - sorrow are passing and that folk will be expected to face tJle future in the same spirit of hopefulness as they faced and went through the calamity and anxiety of the Great AVar.

It will be interesting to get the full text of the licensing legislation to be put before the Parliament. From the telegraphed summary of the measure radical changes are to be made in the law. In the first place the local option in the present law is to be abolished, and “dry” areas are to have the right to gain restoration by a bare majority of votes. But first there i s to be a national poll on the Efficiency Board's proposals, that is, prohibition with compensation or continuation of licenses. If the prohibition issue is defeated on this general issue, the n a further poll is to be taken on three issues:—(l) Continuance as at present; (2) Prohibition without compensation; (3) State Control. Apparently to give all parties, some sort, of a look in in deciding the liquor question, the Government has adopted an all-round compromise, but with the odds always in favour of the prohibitionists. They have their main chance in the front each time. The first national poll would he taken in the New-,Year, and if prohibition be defeated then, the next poll will be taken on the three issues at the time of the general election. This does not. . savour as tm* square deal all round. It is feared that''Parliament will be under compulsion to .dispose of the legislation very quickly. The leaders are anxious to get Home ? and the whole matter will he hastened probably unduly. Parliamentarians will he looking for the easiest way out of a complex question, and unless the Upper House exercises it s r ight' as a revising chamber there is just the chance that the square deal all round will not come to pass.