CORRESPONDENCE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 251, 1 April 1915, Page 3

CORRESPONDENCE.

THE DRINK TRADE.

To the Kditor. Sir,—May I add a little further information on the prospects of the drink trade in Southern Australia. In your issue of Tuesday you give a cable message from Adelaide stating that "A referendum for the early closing of hotels resulted in an absolute majority for six o'clock." This evidently refers to the general election, which was held on March 27th, and when the plebiscite was also taken on the hours for closing the liquor bars. The question submitted to the electors was a choice of various hours of closing, from six o'clock to eleven o'clock. Each voter indicated his choice of an hour by a mark, and the votes were preferential and cumulati c from the early to the latest hour of closing. Thus a vote for six o'clock would count secondarily for seven o'clock should the earlier hour not get sufficient support. It appears, then, that so far •as Adelaide is concerned there was no need for thq, cumulative wte, as the absolute majority is i n favor of the earliest hour given in the voting paper. If, then, the chief city of the State declares for early closing of bars, we may presume that the smaller ' --ns and j country districts will do fo - < >, at least, that is what we should <'::pect in N«>v Zealand. It is to be remembered, however, that this reform does not coiiid into operation at once. The vote docs riot take effect until an amended Licensing Law is passed through Parliament. It is desired by the Government as a guide for Parliament in framing and considering the new law. The complete returns for the whole State will not he available for a few days, as the returns from electorates hare to be collected and summarised by the State electoral officer, just as our votes on National Prohioition are treated. It is a measure of satisfaction that the capital city of one State in the Commonwealh has declared for early closing. "It is coming!"—the day about which the W.C.T.U. sing; the net is being gradually draw,, tight'-r, when the hungry shark—the liquor trade —will be caught and ulacrd in the museum of curiosities.—l am, etc.,

G. H. 11.