LICENSING POLL.

Taranaki Daily News, 11 December 1922, Page 7

LICENSING POLL.

W AIR AU FOR CONTINUANCE. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Blenheim, Dec. 9. The final figures for Wairau are:—7 Continuance 3722 .State Control 457 Prohibition 3466 Absent votes, 160. VIEWS OF PROHIBITIONISTS. FIGHT TO GO ON. THE STATE CONTROL ISSUE. Invercargill, Dec. 9. Mr. Baxter, a prominent pohibitionist, gave as hie opinion that the defeat resulted fom the completeness of the organisation ranged against them by the trade, and the greatest campaign of misrepresentation ever known in the Dominion, assisted, with one or two exceptions, by the Press of New Zealand. An appeal was made to prejudice selfinterest, and the result unfortunately shows the grip of the trade on young people. A reform in the direction of eliminating the State control issue must be made. Prohibition has received no set back, but is still in a majority against the two other iesues, and the fight will go on. Wellington, Dec. 9. An informal statement on the result of the licensing poll by the Rev. Mr. Dawson says the party will fight on, but it is very dissatisfied with the conditions under which the poll was taken. They recognise that the Continuance vote has increased, -but they claim that State control is a distracting issue, and should be removed>or the result decided by the issue which obtains the largest vote, as in Parliamentary elections. A new campaign has already started. Dunedin, Dec. fl. The executives of the Temperance Reform Council and the Business Men’s Efficiency League passed a resolution expressing “Great gratification at the large Dominion Vote for national prohibition, a vote which, while not giving an absolute majority over both other issues combined, according to the present returns represents the considered judgment of the largest body of sentiment that the liquor traffic must cease. The council demands the elimination of the unnecessary issue, State purchase and control, the inclusion of which is proved to operate merely to perpetuate the traffic, and ean command only a, minority of voters. The council further expresses its gratification at the unshaken determination of supporters of national prohibition to maintain their efforts until the reform is secured.”

VOTFS IN PAST YEARS. The result of the last licensing poll, taken in December, 1919, wa* oh follows: — Continuance 241,25! State Purchase and Control .. 32,261 Prohibition 270,250 Total valid votes 543,702 Prohibition was thus lost by 3262 votes. The percentage of valid votes cast for Prohibition in previous polls is shown in the following table: —

All polls up to and including that taken in 1908 were on a local option no-license issue, not for absolute Prohibition, as it is now provided for. A 60 per cent, majority was required to carry no-license in any district, and when the district carried no-license it was not “bone-dry.” Sale of liquor was forbidden, but it could be brought into the district from outside. Electors at the same time had the option of voting for reduction of licenses. The first National Prohibition poll was taken in 1911. National Prohibition, if Carried at this poll, would have been of the “bone-dry” variety, and the manufacture, sale, or importation of liquor would have been forbidden except for medicinal, sacramental, or industrial purposes. The National poll was on two issues, Prohibition or Continuance, but if carried by 60 per cent, majority, Prohibition would not have taken effect till four and a-half years after the poll. There was also voting upon the local option, but not on reduction. In 1918 the issues were again changed. A special poll was provided for in April, 1919, the issues being National Continuance and National Prohibition with compensation, to be decided by a bare majority. The compensation was estimated at £4,500,000, and was for loss of business and depreciation consequent on that loss, not for purpose of premises or plant. The four and a-half , years’ notice to quit was altered at the same, time to six months. The Act which authorised this special poll also provided that if Prohibition were not then carried the issue at future triennial polls should be that upon which the electors voted yesterday. There is to be no compensation if Prohibition is carried, and the change will take effect on June 30th next succeeding the date of the poll

Year. Per cent 1896 .. 37.82 .. 42.23 1902 .. 48.88 1905 .. 51.27 190S .. 53.45 1011 .. 55.83 April, 1919 —T*- . .. 46.00 Dee., 1919 .-r ..... . .. 49.71,