FINAL LICENSING FIGURES.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVII, Issue 2959, 7 November 1925, Page 3

FINAL LICENSING FIGURES.

CONTINUANCE BY OVER 30,000 VOTES. DEMAND FOR LONGER POLLS. Wellington, Last Night. Following is the final of the Licensing Poll, recounts may alter slightly: Continuance .. .. 278,593 State Control .. .. 52,536 Prohibition .. .. '301,064 Majority Continuance 30,065 Wakatipu has still to come, plus 30,000 absent voters and the seamen’s votes, which in Wellington are about 1100. When the final returns are received, it is antcipated that the majority will be increased, if anything. ' Mr. Percy Coyle, president of the New Zealand Licensed Victualler’s Association, stated that the majority against prohibition was very gratifying, especially as it seemed to indicate a definite turning of the prohibition tide. That definite tendency must indicate to any Government in power that the public of New Zealand would not have prohibition, and therefore an opportunity should, be given to the trade, in the way of more satisfactory tenure, to provide such accommodation as the growing needs of this young country demanded. PROHIBITION PERCENTAGES The percentage of valid votes east for prohibition in previous polls is shown in the following table.

1896 .. .. 37.82 1899 .. .. 42.23 1902 .. .. 48.88 1905 .. .. 51.27 1908 .. ... 53.45 1911 .. . - 55.83 1914 . ... 48.99 1919 (April) .. 49.00 1919 (December) .. 49.71 1922 .. • • 48.58 1925 .. • ■ 47.62

All polls up to and including that taken in 1908 were on a local option no-license not for absolute prohibition, as it is now provided for. A 60 per cent, majority was required to carry no-license in any district.