LICENSING POLL

Hokitika Guardian, 17 November 1928, Page 5

LICENSING POLL

[ My Telegraph, Per Press Association.!

WELLINGTON. November 16. Continuance 347,486 State Control 59,546 407.002 Prohibition 274,904 Majority against Prohibition 152.12? These are the amended official figures

“PEOPLE WELL SATISFIED.”

WELLINGTON, Nov. 15

“’Phe people of New Zealand have again clearly demonstrated that Prohibition is not wanted in this country, said Mr Percy Coyle, official representative of the United Licensing Victuallers’ Association of New Zealand. ‘'There is no need for a Prohibition statute law to create sobriety. The people are well satisfied with existing conditions. ''For over thirty years the public decided by majorities that the presence of licensed hotels and the sale of liquor shall continue, and, taking yesterday’s vote as an indication, there is not likely to be any change in public opinion on the question. I luit the present system of regulated control is preferable to Prohibition is what the people, of the Dominion have determined by their vote.’ 5

STATE CONTROL ISSUE. WELLINGTON, Nov. 15. .Mi 1 Tripp. president ol tlic Associated ('lulus of Now Zealand, said lie had fully expected that the vote against Prohibition would he increased, hut he was disappointed that the vote in favour of State Control had not been much larger. Personally, he was, ol the opinion that some form of Government or corporate control, free from political influence, ould go far to solve the liquor problem. In view of the overwhelming defeat of Prohibition, he was now very hopeful that it would he possible to obtain legislation removing some of the absurd restrictions that existed in the piesent law.