THE OTAKI MAIL. Published on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. FRIDAY, APRIL 11, 1919 THE LIQUOR REFERENDUM.

Otaki Mail, Volume 26, 11 April 1919, Page 2

THE OTAKI MAIL. Published on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. FRIDAY, APRIL 11, 1919 THE LIQUOR REFERENDUM.

It is too early yet. to prophesy tlio effect of yesterday’s poll on the liquor question. Although the figures to hand show a majority-of 12,195 for Prohibition, there arc yet some CO,OOO votes to be reckoned with, these including 3000 seamen’s votes, 43,000 soldiers’ and about 15,000 absentees. It is generally believed that a large majority of the soldiers will vote for Continuance, tkereforo the probability is that Continuance will be carried by a small majority. However, nothing definite will be known until ’ voting results are made knbwn, which will be in about a month’s time. While it is quite possible that the absentees’ and seamen’s votes will put a different as--pect on the outlook, it is reasonable to assume that these votes will not greaily affect the present position of affairs. Tko position is precarious, and until the final count the public will naturally express considerable anxiety as to the ultimate result. Judging by the present position, it seems almost certain that the vexed question will be settled either ono way or the other by a very small majority, which is to be regretted, and the strong pronouncement of the people for or against Prohibition which was. hoped for, as a settlement of the matter for some time to conic at least, does not seem at all likely to be fulfilled. Considering the very keen interest exhibited in all quarters, the voting is disappointingly small. When the 191-i poll was taken, some 504,659 valid votes were cast. Seeing the very considerable increase in population during the past four and a half years, it was generally anticipated that yesterday’s poll would be a very much heavier one than that of 1914, whereas the total figures to hand represent only 464,037 votes, and the other votes yet to be counted will, in all probability, mako a grand total of but little more than the 1914 figures. Auckland and Wellington cities gave big majorities for spectively while Christclmrefi eity showed a majority of only 565 for Continuance, and Dunedin polled no less than 3376 more votes for Prohibition than Continuance. The North Island supplied the greater part of the Prohibition majority, the West (‘Wet”) Coast polling particularly heavily for Continuance. It is interesting to note that at the 1914 referendum the voting on National Prohibition was: Continuance, 257,442; Prohibition, 247,217; majority for Continuance, 10,225.