THE LICENSING POLL.

Taranaki Daily News, 16 April 1919, Page 5

THE LICENSING POLL.

PROHIBITION LEADS BY SIX. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, April 15. The soldiers' votes on the Continent reduce the prohibition majority to six. THE SOLDIERS' VOTES. Wellington, Last Night. The final total of votes cast by soldiers in Britain and Western Europe is as follows: Total votes 20,407 Continuance ; 10,317 Prohibition ./ 4,004 Informal 8(> Majority for Continuance 12,.112 The addition of the soldiers' and civilians' votes is shown *at the first count, and, disregarding the absent voters' permits, gives the following result: — Continuance ....,■ 242,720 Prohibition 242,732 Majority for Prohibition 2G

The counting of the votes cast in New Zealand by tho undischarged members of the Expeditionary Force will probably not be undertaken until after Easter. MASTERTON EVENLY DIVIDED. Masterton, Last Night. The official recount of votes in the Masterton electorate reduces the Continuance majority to ono, the figures being:— Continuance > 2781 Prohibition ...'...•-• 2780 Informal 37 In 1914 the voting was:— Continuance 3331 No License 2805 SEAMEN'S DISABILITIES. Dunedin, Last Night. Mr. Young, general secretary of tho Seamen's Union, states that, while about 8000 seamen, stewards, etc., were eligible to vote on the licensing issue, not more than 1000 votes will be cast owing to the difficulties which have arisen regarding the easting of votes. He asserts that, whereas soldiers on'transports were enabled to record their votes, no provision was made to enable seamen, firemen, Btewards, eta, on those vessels and whose homes are in New Zealand to record their votes. Mr. Young adds that the Seamen's Union intends to demand that the electoral laws be drastically improved as far as voting privileges of the crews on steamers are concerned.

AUSTRALIAN COMMENT.

Sydney, April 15. The acting-president of the Alliance, commenting on the New Zealand prohibition vote, said that the soldiers' vote was disappointing, but perhaps they were influenced by the fact that the vote was taken on the question during their absence. The Alliance believed that many electors in New Zealand refrained from voting on this occasion on account of the financial question involved.—Aus. and N.Z. Cable Assoc. THE SOLDIERS' VOTE. WHAT SWAYED IT. The following is the text of a fullpage advertisement which was published in The New Zealander, the popular periodical which has circulated regularly among our troops abroad. Some of Its statements are open to challenge. The advertisement was also distributed among the soldiers as a circular. (Coov). TO THE NEW ZEALAND EXPEDITIONARY FORCE. The New Zealand Moderate League, Featherstone Street, Wellington, January 8, 1919.

Dear Sir, — We regret to have to inform you that the Prohibition Party, taking advantage of the absence of a large number of men on active service, and using war oonditions for their propaganda purposes, have succeeded in stampeding the Government of New Zealand into granting a Special Referendum on the Liquor question, which will be held on April 10, 1910. The Prohibitionists hope to secure a catch vote during your absence, and it is their boast that when you return it will be to a "Dry" New Zealand. The Prohibitionists' anxiety to secure this special poll during your absence has been most marked, and while you have been away they have never ceased their agitation, and have boldly proclaimed their propaganda to be of move importance than the war. At a time when internal peace and unity are most needed to smooth the machinery for the repatriation of our soldiers and the reconstruction of our internal affairs, the Prohibitionists are forcing the people into rival camps, and have induced the Government to plunge the country into the bittterness and turmoil of a special Liquor fight at great national cost, and when common decency and justice to our soldiers and the national needs all demanded that the matter should be left for settlement in the ordinary way at the General Election, which must be held before the end of the year.

I The Prohibitionists will doubtless tell; you that they have been anxious to secure the soldiers' right to vote; but we (liui unhesitatingly state that, as was the case in 1914, they have taken no steps whatever to bring this about, and unquestionably are hoping that your vote will be ineffective. They 'will also probably tell you how they value your services to the Empire, and what fine fellows you are; but the public Press of New Zealand is lull of records \o show that they have never hesitated to besmirch the good name of the soldiers by endeavoring to brand them before the world as drunkards, in ruder to secure some immediate advantage for their propaganda. These are the people who will now approach you to vote with them for Prohibition. .We feel satisfied that you, as men who have "carried on" in the great adventure, and who have seen the world, will know what to do with their propaganda.

The Moderate League has urged the Government to forward to each soldier a statement of the change made in the Licensing law; but as this may not be done effectively we would call your attention to the following points:— (A) At a Special Referendum, to be held on April 10, and at which New Zealand soldiers overseas will have a vote, two issues will be submitted, as follows: I.—l vote for National Continuance. 2.—1 vote for National Prohibition with Compensation to the Trade.

A bare majority of valid votes cast decides the result, instead of a three? fifths majority, as formerly. /. (B) A gnuv (laneer exists that .tbo votes of the -'expeditionary Torcea will be nullified, m the . Extrnoittt hava

for this purpose rushed through Parliament a provision that if it is found impracticable to take your votes, and no matter what gross irregularities occur in taking the same, the poll is to be valid notwithstanding. You should, therefore, see that your vote is properly recorded and lodged with the Electoral Officer. (C) If Prohibition 19 carried at the Special Referendum, compensation will be payable to the "Trade" to the extent of £4,500,000 (four and a half millions sterling), from the public funds of New Zealand; and there will be a further recurring annual loss of £1,500,000 (one million and a half sterling) by way of lost revenue and interest on the amount of compensation. ] (D) No provision whatevor has been made financially by the Government for this enormous burden entailed by pay-] ment (if compensation to the "Trade," and it is believed the finances of the country may be so seriously crippled thereby that New Zealand will be unable to carry out its first obligation, viz., the making of adequate provision for the wounded, dependents of soldiers, and the repatriation of returned men. (E) Tt is important that you should know that if Prohibition is carried at the poll in April the people of New Zealand will never have an opportunity of voting again on the subject, as it has been enacted that a vote of Prohibition is final, and the question is not again to be submitted to a Referendum. (F) We would suggest, therefore, that you vote Continuance at the April Referendum, aiid conserve both the finance of the Dominion and the liberty of its people, while securing an opportunity for a real expression of public opinion at the next poll; for if Continuance is carried, then after your return, at the next General Election, to be held in December of this year, it is provided that three issues are to be submitted, namely:

(1) I vote for National Continuance. (2) I vote for State Purchase and Control. (3) I vote for National Prohibition (without Compensation). You will notice that at this second poll you will have an opportunity of voting on the question of State Ownership, and the vote for Prohibition will not carry with it the expenditure of public moneys by way of compensation to the "Trade." (G) Therefore, whether you favor reform of the liquor trade or Prohibition, the second poll will give you a more effective means of recording your opinion and assisting your friends and relatives, by your presence here and with the advantage of your experience gained abroad, to a proper conclusion. The Moderate League represents the disinterested and moderate majority of the people, and in view of the grave considerations set out above, we unhesitatingly urge you to vote Continuance at the forthcoming poll. We would Anally remind you that if Prohibition is carried in April, New Zealand is to be "dry" for all time. D. M. FINDLAY, President. E. A. ARMSTRONG, Secretary.