WELLINGTON TOPICS.

Taranaki Daily News, 1 April 1919, Page 6

WELLINGTON TOPICS.

THE LICENSING CAMPAIGN. j I A TACTICAL BLUNDER. Correspondent). Wellington, March 28. The talk of the town to-day is the daring attempt of the executive of the Moderate League to make use of Dr. Valentine's name in advancing its cause. Yesterday many «f the hotels in the city and suburbs were placarded with a "Public Warning," above the Chief Health Officer's name in large type, stating that "according to medical opinion, a further outbreak of the influenza epidemic may occur within the next few mouths" and urging the electors "not to jeopardise their individual lives by acquiescing in the demands of the Prohibitionists to prevent the use of alcoholic stimulants." Some of the more | responsible licensees refused to display the placard about their premises, but a sufficient number of the "warnings" were in view to create a good deal of alarm among nervous people. DISCREDITABLE TACTICS. The Dominion this morning, in commenting upon the incident, says the idea of those responsible for the placard plainly was to influence the public against voting for prohibition. "Judging by the comment heard about the city," its adds, "this alarmist fake proclamation is likely, to have the opposite effect. The general opinion appeared to be that this sort of thing was 'over the odds' ... and that publicfeeling had been outraged." Significantly enough the New Zealand Times which does not see eve to eye with its contemporary on the "licensing question, takes no notice of the matter. Dr. Valentine, however, after indignantly denying any association, privately or officially, with the placard, says he is "taking immediate steps to prevent the impudent use" of his name. Meanwhile the "fake" has disappeared from the hotel windows. THE MAYORALTY. Mr. J. P. Luke acceded yesterday to the request of a representative deputation of citizens to offer himself for reelection as mayor of the city and there are no three candidates for the chief magistracy in the field—Mr. Luke, the present mayor, Mr. Weston, the president of the Employers' Association, and Mr. Read, the nominee of the Labor Party. Had the contest been left to Mr. Weston and Mr. Read probably the former gentleman, receiving the support of the great body of moderates who cannot accept the Labor platform, would have had a comparatively easy victory, but in a triangular duel the Labor candidate will have a much better chance of success. The result will- depend largely upon organisation and individual enthusiasm, and were Mr. Read possessed of a little more "personality" he might hold the strongest hand. POLITICAL PARTIES. » The mystery surrounding the constitution and purpose of the Welfare League still remains a mystery. Its constitution has been reduced to writing and its purpose has been explained to the favored few, but so far they are not available to the public. It ; « definitely stated, however, that the has no part or lot with- the new political party which is seeking, as one of •its own members has expressed it, to put new wine into the old bottles. In the midst of all the mystery comes a rumor that the Reformers and Liberals will openly commence the election campaign during the next two or three weeks with Mr. Massey and Sir Joseph Ward as the accredited leaders of their respective parties and with the "truce," so far as the rank and file are concerned, definitely terminated. i