LICENSING POLL

Hokitika Guardian, 27 June 1919, Page 2

LICENSING POLL

THE FINAL' FIGURES. ! [per PRESS ASSOCIATION. —COPYRIGHT.] WELLINGTON, iJune 26. In accordance with the provisions o; the Licensing Amendment Act, tht Minister of Justice notifies by Gazette notice to-day, the result of the special licensing poll taken on the 10th April last. The total returns arc as follows: IN LICENSING DISTRICTS. Electors on roll '. 626,632 Valid votes recorded 478,312 For Continuance 232,208 For Prohibition 246,104 Prohibition Majority 13,896 EXPEDITIONARY FORCE. Cont. Pro. United Kingdom- 15,875 3,955 France 442 49 Egypt 1,853 444 Samoa 100 35 Neiv Zealand. 3,886 1,482 On troopships ... 9,825 1,758 Totals 31,€81 \ 7,723 Grand Totals 264,159 253,527 Total valid votes 518,016 Continuance majority ... 10,362 THE MODERATE LEAGUE. WELLINGTON. June 26. Interviewed as to the result of the Liquor Referendum, Mr Findlay, Presiden. of the Moderate League, said it was fortunate that the nature of the poll gave a clear demonstration of the overwhelming vote of the soldiers against prohibition. Their splendid record and the great experience they had gained on active service should commend their views and wishes to the greatest consideration. The'League had protested against the waste of public money; and of human effort involved, in the referendum. The result had justified their contention. In view of the repeated failures of the at-

tempts to secure itself into a lost as to whether the rank and file of the pro- , hibition voters would support the great, reform of State ownership. The unniis- j takeable victory won over prohibition must not be taken by the Trade as an

endorsement of the existing conditions. I The League were determined to press ' for reforms, and were now organising to , secure State ownership at the forthcoming poll. i ! ! ATTITUDE OF N.Z. ALLIANCE, j WELLINGTON, June 26. i Giving evidence before the Parliamentary Industries Committee, Rev. R, S. Gray, (President of the New Zealand Alliance), regarding the proposal of the New Zealand Viticultural Association that the wine growing industry in New j Zealand should be excluded from the ; provisions of any future prohibition law, j said the position he would take was that the mere fact that this was a New Zealand industry and did not put it on ; any different footing to barley-growing • or beer-making. Until it could be shown that wine drinking was not in-} jnrious, he saw no reason to exempt ; the industry, as proposed. Although ho was unable at the time to give de- i finite figures, he was prepared to state . that in many of the European winedrinking communities, drunkenness was great. If it was essential, exemption could be granted in regard to winegrowing for medical purposes. Replying to a question, Mr Gray said he was aware that New Zealand wines were lighter than some other liquors— j having only IS per cent, of alcohol he ■ believed—but liquor of that strength would make a man groggy if he took enough of it. Mr Gray inquired whether the committee iproposed to recommend an amendment of the law this session, because it would prevent a proposal to be submitted fffr the prohibition of all | alcoholic liquors. The Chairman, Mr Wilkinson, said the Committee did not propose to make such a recommendation. i