THE LICENSING POLL.

Hokitika Guardian, 9 December 1922, Page 1

THE LICENSING POLL.

|BY TKLEORAI'R RER PRESS ASSOCIATION Con, S. Con. Pro. i Waimarino 4128 416 2272 Kaipara 3196 365 3808 I , MAJORITY FOR CONTINUANCE. I WELLINGTON, Dec 8. j The result of the final of the lic-en- ! sing poll of votes, other than the 16,(XX) absent voters and seamen is as follows: ! Continuance 272,443 i State Control 34,261 1 Prohibition 290,560 I Majority against Prohibi--1 turn ‘ 16,144 . Of the 19,000 absent voters, 3,000 havo been recorded. THE TRADE’S WIN. WELLINGTON, Dec 8.

I From inquiries mado in Wellington | among the Trade circles, it was ascerj tnined that a pronouncement with re- [ spoot to the licensing date, will be mado when the National Council shortly meets in tho capital city. Until then, no official statement from the Trade’s point of view will be made. “Naturally wo are very pleased,” stated one official, “hut we have no wish to lie jubilant, anil to flaunt our victory. Tho issue was placed before tho people. We were content to let the people decide. Tho people have decided. All I can say is that very naturally, we are satisfied with tho manner in which tho pcoplo have manifested their desires.” MODERATE LEAGUE. •WELLINGTON, Dec 8. Mr 1). M. Findlay, President of the New Zealand .Moderate League interprets the result of the Licensing Poll as an indication of the determined opposition of tho majority of the people to Prohibition. In those parts of the Dominion where the League had been able to put. in some good work, the result had been apparent by tho increased support given to State Control. Proposals had been made to the Government to improve the licensing laws in tho intersts of th« public, and a conference would bo held shortly to move in that direction. They hoped to oaiu tho support of many prohibitionists in moving for real temperance reform. ALLIANCE VIEWPOINT. WELLINGTON, Dec 8 Regarding tho licensing poll, the Executive of New Zealand Alliance today adopted tho following resolution: That tho Executive of the New /lealand Alliance records its profound ; gratitude for tho energy and enthusl- ; asm winch has been thrown into the j campaign for prohibition by thousands of faithful workers in all parts. ; While deeply regretting that their labours have not been crowned with success. tho Executive is satisfied (It That the result is chiefly due to tho groundless fear that prohibition will aggravate instead of relieving the: financial depression, widespread unemployment and the heavy burden of taxation entailed by the war, and to tlio other temporary causes arising, from tho same source (2). That the educative effect of one of the most, strenous campaigns will remain for the. benefit of its future propaganda. ‘ (3) That the Executive will at an, early date convene a conference of j the party, with a view to instituting a new campaign which will ensure vie- 1 torv at tho coming poll. j INVERCARGILL. Dec 8. 1

Mr Baxter. a prominent Prohibi- ! tioni-t, gave it a-s his opinion that the ; defeat resulted from the completeness I of the organisation ranged against j them by the trade, and fiom a cam-' paign of the greatest misrepresent a- j tkm ever known in the Dominion, as-| sisted with one or tw. exceptions, by the press of Xew Zealand. An appeal was made to prejudice and self interest, and unfortunately it shows the trade has a grip on the young people, j Reform in the direction of eliminating j the- State Control issue must he made. | Prohibition iiad no set-back hut was still in a majority against the two other issues, and tho fight would go mi. Af.LIAXCK STARTS ACAI.X. \VMI, 1.1 XCTOX, Dee !). i Ju a. formal statment on the result of the licensing poll. Rev Dawson says the partv will light on, hut it is very dissatisfied with the conditions under which the poll was taken. They re- ; cognise the continuance vote lias in- ' creased, hut claim that state control is distracting the issue, which should he | removed or the result decided by the I issu which obtains the. largest vote as i in parliamentary elections. The new 1 campaign has already started.