LICENSING.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LI, Issue 296, 9 December 1908, Page 2

LICENSING.

WELLINGTON SUBURBS PETITION. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, Last Night A petition has been lodged agahst the Wellington Suburbs local option ' poll. It is urged that the boundaries of the district were not properly gazetted, hut no issue for an increase of licenses (the population having increased, by 25 per cent) was included in the ballot papers, anil that a number of irregularities took place.

THE MASTERTON PETITION. Wellington, Last Night. The petitioners against the Mastcrton local locul option poll arc to he heard on December Kith by Dr. McArthur, S.M., of Wellington, Mr. W. P. James, S.M., of Masterlon, and Mr. A. D, Thomson, S.M., of Palnicrstbn North.

AUCKLAND PRKSBYTKRY'S SATISFACTION. I NTERESTI NO Dl SCUSSION. Auckland, Last Night. The subject of Ihe recent local option poll came before the Auckland Presbytery to-night, when the Rev. A. Millar moved: -That the Presbytery rejoices in the substantial udviince in temperance sentiment indicated by the local option poll. We congratulate the electors of Eden and Ohinemuri on carrying no-license and the Grey Lynn people on the splendid majority obtained for noarestoration. \\' o also note with satisfaction the fact that reduction has been carried in Auckland City and adjacent electorates, and that in each case so large a vote has been cast for no-license. We accept all this as evidence tliat the incoming tide is in favor of temperance reform ami will be encouraged thereby with renewed and increased effort so that (it a no distant date a complete victory may he gained over the drink trn file with all its attendant evils." Mr, L. Bagnall drew attention to the laet that although the no-license vote had increased by 22 per cent, the drink hill had increased by 1)2 per cent. That, lie thought, appeared to indicate that while the no-license feeling was increasing, the temperance feeling was not. To his mind, this was a very serious phase of the question. Again, he understood that in Ohiueinnri it was not a strong teelfcig for iio-lieen.se. that gained the day, but a concerted effort by Ike men of Waihi to protest against 'the action of the publicans in refusing to give them cheaper beer.

Mr. .Miliar said tin; Presbytery knew full well that what Mr. Bagnall gal<l was correct. It was to bo deplored the people had boon drinking more because they had more to speaid. The Rev. I. Bertram re/erred to the fact that a huge number of no-licen o votes had been east l>v moderate drinkers.

The Key. J. L. Pattullo said Mr. Bagiiall was correct in what he said regarding Willi. There were comparatively few teetotallers in Waihi. He believed that prohibition would not have been carried had it not been for the reftfaal to reduce the price of—"lf I might ase the word," said Mr. Pattullo-A was sheer devilment on the part of the minThe motion was carried.