LIQUOR ISSUE

Hokitika Guardian, 14 April 1930, Page 7

LIQUOR ISSUE

VICTORIA’S BIG VOTP

LKKXSLS STAY

SYDNEY, April 3

The great “net’’ victory in Victoria last Saturday was scoured after one of Llio most extensively organised campaigns in the history of Australia, and sreins to be a definite indication that the {.copier of the Commonwealtli have no desire that their country shot;ld follow the example, of America and go dry. In all the other States where referenda have been held the “wets” have achieved a signal victory f. :.t the Prohibitionists have never p,t so much into the fight as they p t. into that which lm.s just concl ded in the southern State. They s aired the whole of their financial ic-souro-rs on tho issue, and ashed for, turd received, assistance from the oilin' Spates. How, in the time of such depression, they obtained so much money mrst remain a mysterya mystery .quite typical of Australia, where extravr,game and poverty have been going hand in hand for some months now. And as for the “wets.” vcU, they scent money like water. The cost of taking the vote placed a big burden on the > finances of the S a to. which is unable to raise money for relief works so urgently needed. .It can be stated that the poll cost an aggregate of £240,000. ;\ie Prohibitionists thought that they had a wonderful chance of success, mere particularly as over one half of tho voters were women. It is clear now that only a small proportion of the women voted “dry” so the referendum exploded the theory that women could carry, the day in any wet ca- dry vote. For months the electors were wood more .ardently than

ever before, hut all to no purpose, for the position remains exactly as it •v".s, except that the hotels and breweries have a sure lease of life for ait least another eight. years. That time must elapse before another vote can he taken. So heartened are the “wets” by ilieii" signal victory that thev have announced that at,least £2,000,000 will be spent within the next two years in the erection of new hotels throughout, the State.

Every conceivable device was used to sway votes. Appeals were made to reason, prejudice, passion and sentiment. Voting was compulsory, and the figures indicate that nearly everyone voted. So the “drys” cannot put down their defect to lack of interest. Considerable feeling was aroused during the campaign,,.which revealed that whatever may be the view of the public in political matters, on tbe subject of prohibition opinions were very definite. Roth sides entered tho contest jubilant and certain of success, hut it is clear now that tho Prohibitionists mistook the enthusiasm of their followers for general .enthusiasm for the cause which they had exrounded with so much vigour. l Members of the Prohibition League asserted that no campaign in New Zealand had been so strenuous or had aroused so much hope. That was before tho poll.