Manawatu Herald. THURSDAY, DEC. 20, 1894. Petitions.

Manawatu Herald, 20 December 1894, Page 2

Manawatu Herald. THURSDAY, DEC. 20, 1894. Petitions.

It seems an unfortunate fact that | petitions of any nature stink in the nostrils of our public bodies, who will have none of them. TIII3 unfortunate fact has arisen from the .cheerful manner every loyal colonist signs any document he is asked to, whether it is a matter of any interest to him or not. It is asserted that persons will freely sign a petition to givt effect to some proposal and with equal impartiality sign another opposing it. In fact the statement has been. _nvide that to get a man hung or reprieved would very little affect the average signer of petitions. A great harm has thus been done to law abiding colonists, as when they position in a proper manner and with an earnest desire, their prayer is cast aside unheeded. This view received an exemplification at the last Licensing mooting. There were two petitions presented, one signed by 200 residents at Levin against the transfer of the Manukau license being granted, and one, signed by 30 or 40 persons in favour of its being so. Owing to the unpleasant odour attaching to all petitions these were not entertained. The residents of Levin who feel strongly on the licensing question were thus put out of court and their near representative held views diametrically opposite' : t6 theirs. The question naturally arises how can rhese people make their views known to the committee in the future ? The Licensing Act provides that they may object or approve, by petition, but if the com mittee'sets aßide the Acjj. they wilt haie to take other means to defend thence -ivea. W3 are v it anxious to say how this can b-ist be done, all we are endeavouring to show is, that which they thought was sufficient is of no value, and unless they prefer their objections to go by default they must arise and take other steps which cannot be so easily ignored. We regret that petitions are \iewed in this matter, the blame resting upon the careless manner persons use their privileges, as a petition is a move compact way of obtaining a general opinion" on' a snbjeot than any other mode of procedure. The Act specially approves of the manner, though it also provides other means of attaining the same ends. The whole argument about the proposed transfer of the license from Manakau to Levin presupposes that the residents of both localities desire it, otherwise the Committee would not have been asked to agree to it. It being a question of this public nature a strong expression of opinion is needed, either one way or the other, and this should, be the endeavour of either gfde to "conclusively prove j should another attempt be made. Thus it is clear how this is to be shown is a matter of much importance to all, the committee haying set their faces against petitions.