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Hokitika Guardian, 6 November 1925, Page 2

On the figures available last evening of the licensing poll, il would appear that the idea of prohibition for New Zealand is to be much pest pom d. According to the figures available al the time of writing, lio-liicn-c is 28.072 behind a bare maiorify. and there are still live returns to come. At the poll in 1922. the deficit for the Dominion on the no-license issue was. 17.f1()5. On that occasion there was a total offeclice vote for Nov Zealand of (f1i).187. I p to last night the total voles accounted for was 594.704. but with five electorates to come, and the absent votes to lie counted, the aggregate vote should approximate 050.000. \s far as the particulars are available it is noticeable that the issue of State Control has made the greatest advance. No doubt this lias been chiefly at the expense of continuance. The linal figures will disclose however, the general trend of the question. It is apparent now that the country has pronounced against no-lieense in no very uncertain sound, and as Mr Coates has promised to do things, no doubt tho long deferred task of overhauling the licensing laws will now he put in hand. A revision is necessary, and the way seems clear for the Prime Minister to set about that important task.

AVuonvnn limy Ik- declared elected next week l»y tlio Returning Officer a* Member for AVestlaud, the appointee has a task ready at hand waitin'; for him for immediate attjention. Reference has keen made liefore to the need of more sanitary accommodation at the Hokitika Mental Hospital. There is not any immediate sign of the want being supplied by carrying on the building programme which was put under way some time ago. As far as

the extensions are concerned, only partial provision has been made, and it is necessary still to retain many of the old buildings which have been condemned lolly; ago as unsanitary and not lit for habitation. Naturally where the inmates have to he herded the conditions are the more unhealthy, and there appears a crying need to make the question the first and most important matter for the memberelect to attend to. The Government find money readily enough for other classes of public works. We learn that the latest loan negotiations are ■joiner to Iso a .success. Tim money difficulty should not he serious, and that in order, the remainder is easy. As the matter stands the need for more accommodation is most urgent, and looking to the health of the inmates and the attendants, as well as also to their general .comfort, the work should be attended to forthwith.