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Hokitika Guardian, 28 October 1925, Page 2

to the Licensing poll from the Dominion point ol \ ic.v. Ihe Statute provides also tor district no-license, and wel l' |>r<>!ii 1 1 iI ion to be carried here bill not over ike whole I) <. in i: 1 1- - 11 . it wniilo have a In,-a I apjdiea I ion. 'file figures in tin- jins!, however, do not give nine!: indication of Westland going "dry." The lolloMinc; are the c-imj’.'irative iig-mt-s for (lie jiasl two polls;--P.MM 1822 For lonii noa ore ... n| !. 7n - For Slate ( onimi I!'(I 22!) Fi r Prohibition 2. Id- 2.7.T1 8.5.V.1 7.- 18 lln t hese figures -oaring ii|:waids t her: is a di-tim-t pointer to the di-l:ivnr ol j>]<>l l ibii ion locally. I.coking into thine;;! revenue 'mint ol view we notice that the hotels within Ihe elei-tnrnic coin rihule c:s');'i ill license fees, and as ihcv have a ralealde c aloe of C!C..’GO.

emit n'li'ilc substantially to l|.‘ i;i 1• ■ - licvenuo 1 1 !•-1 liv license if:-. etc., through | ill i! 11 inn would have in la made lip in extra rating. i'll'! as. I In--11 a I oli uniihl !>e ni !'■" value uithnul I Incuses, there imiili) !„• a lull in rale rrlmib 11(1111 dial -niiiri' a I 11. ■ni (In' figures above i j iii ■l l ‘<i anil in re l:i 1 ion to the rales cii!Tcidnil at present, il would be necessary apparent !y I" increase the local rating by fully oneliflli were prohibition to be larried. Tile carrying of prohibit ion in a district such as Westland. where there are so inaiiv licensed places, would make a gap which would aH’oei local prosperity very g really. In most plaros wh.ere no-license exists to-day there were originally not many - licensed places, and their dosing up did not disorganise general business .greatly. ecrtainly not as much as would happen in Westland where there are !).S licensed houses within the electorate. That nil other inline out ot business at one fell swoop would he felt all through the district. And though they were closed compulsorily we know that under the provisions of no-license, liquor would conic into the district, j The corruption would go on hut there would not he the same control as there is at present. The Irallie would not he so well reguluted and more m ils and greater evils would arise. These facts require to lie borne in mind on polling day. The position in Westland and on the Coast generally is except Iona!, and the whole circumstances should lie considered by those entrusted with a vote. In exercising the privilege they should consider the many and not the few. the welfare of the whole of the community and not a section. Bearing the facts in mind as they are. it is for the people to act with, tairness and consideration. and if they enter the polling booth in that mood, we shall expect (o

mv tli** roll' lor licen-e increased sltnsiimiinlly. In regard to the Const electorates such n result would bo a lair ilonl for nil.