The Hokitika Guardian MONDAY, DEC. 11th, 1922. THE LICENSING POLL.

Hokitika Guardian, 11 December 1922, Page 2

The Hokitika Guardian MONDAY, DEC. 11th, 1922. THE LICENSING POLL.

It would appear that the licensing issue is never to be settled. Tho result of the late poll is not officially declared, and yet the organisation for prohibition announces that already the next campaign has started. This may be heroics to cover up the feelings of disappointment with the result, hut it is time, in the interests of national peace that the licensing poll question was placed on a piano less conducive to the disturbance of trade and less costly to carry out. The frequency of the polls is certainly far too expensive in these times of stringency, whilo the curb tho shortened period is to building enterprise, and more improved catering for the dwelling; public, is

a loss as well ns a penalty on the public, The time appears to be ripe for the position to be fully reviewed, not in the interests of sections, such as prohibitionists or the trade, but as a matter of public policy in the interests of ! the people at large. In the previous | issue we gave particulars of the last ( lour polls, ill all of Which no license I was defeated more or less decisively. The poll iiow being brought to a close is the most convincing of all, and gives good ground for seeking for reform in the licensing laws to safeguard public interests. The prohibition party has the better end of the stick under the licensing polls, ill that If iio license be carried, the cessation of the licensed trade terminates within six moiitiisf and there is not any legislative means to revive the issue again. This advantage is a material one, and should satisfy most advocates of a cause that they have a distinct advantage on their side. But there is a suggestion that an amendment should he made to tile law to remove one of the issues and cut out the proposal of State purchase and control. That would bo a retrograde step. Tt would be quite undemocratic, and restrict the liberty and choice of the people unduly. State control is an issue growing in favour. Tt is a halfway bouse, certainly, blit it is a reasonable stage at least before launching the country into the abyss of prohibition itself. Almost side by jiide with the news of the latest polling on Saturday, was the Washington cablegram conveying the confession of the American Attorney-General that the enforcement of prohibition in the United States has become one of the major problems facing the Harding Administration. The bearing of iufermations for breaches of the law is clogging the courts, and is involving the States in a maze of international difficulties. The statistics for tile year for offences under the net are certainly surprising. During the year there were- nearly 25.000 criminal prosecutions, and over 2,000 civil cases, in addition lib “a vast number” of violation eases. Eighteen foreign vessels were seized in connection with the contraband breaches, all involving protests on the part of foreign governments. Bv the poll last week, New Zealand escaped, fortunately, from such an experience as is the lot of America. But that is only the legal side. There is the moral and social side, also, to be considered, namely, the effect on the nationhood by this organised system of flaunting the law, and the law being flouted. the evil done to the people by tho illicit consumption of many vile concoctions. The experience of America in regard to no-license, and the dire effects following the attempted enfoicenient of no-license are ample demonstrations to our mind of the futility of tho proposed law to work any real good for the benefit of the nation. New Zealanders generally will be coming to the same conclusion if they study out the position to its natural consequences, and to avoid the need of resorting to such a disastrous method niming at reform, it were better now to set about re--lor 111 ing the licensed trade by open and above hoard means, so that it will bo conducted in the light of day and not driven underground to work incalculable harm. The question is one which the now parliament should take up. The public have given their decision in favor ot the national continuance of license, and that should be allowed to go forward under improved reguln- , tion making for the all round better- J niout of the trade in tho interests of j the public as a whole. I