TWO ISSUES.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 137, 1 December 1911, Page 4

TWO ISSUES.

There are many people in New Zealand who will go to the polling booth on December 7 without any definite thought or care as to the men who are to assist in the government of the country. But there are not niaiiy people who will go to the booths undecided as to what they are going to do about the liquor question. The ' fact is, the licensing issue quite obscures the political one, and is clearly regarded by many people as the most important matter for settlement on election day, The, election of representatives to Parliament is hj, matter of* the gravest importance to the people, and on..election day nt> other public matter, however vital, should be allowed to obtrude itself. Sir James Carroll, who has been returned unopposed for the G'i»boi'iie seat, has lately said that "there is no doubt in my mind that at tho following elections the ■ two issues will, be separated." The election of representatives and. a decision on no-li-cense or continuance have nothing to do with one another, but it is certain that a proportion of voters who record a vote for a-given candidate solely from the standpoint that he is "No-license" or "License," as the case may be. It is to lie remembered —although so many people seem to forget it—that there are other considerations in 'New Zealand basides the question of opening or shutting hotel*, and it is to be also remembered that neither "License" nor '•Nolicense" advocates in Parliament have any power in determining license matters. except to shape the issues to place before the people, merely exercising their votes in the ordinary way. It will be much more fair to political candidates if in tin' future the licensing poll is not taken at the same time as the poll for candidates, so that the people will not. as so many do now, regard the return of representatives as of secondary importance,