The Wairarapa Daily THURSDAY, JULY 16, 1891.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XII, Issue 3859, 16 July 1891, Page 2

The Wairarapa Daily THURSDAY, JULY 16, 1891.

The Resident Magistrate has declared the late licensing election invalid, and the temperance party is, by this decision, deprived of the victory which it lately won. Though we favored a policy of control rather than one of prohibition, it is only right to admit that ths prohibitionists fought their battle fairly, and are entitled to claim the popular verdict in their favour. Prior to the late election the temperance party did not disguise the fact that it sought to administer the Licensing Act as a prohibition rnea* sure, but the full effect of this upon the interests of licensed victuallers was not realised till a prohibition Committee took its seat on the licensing bench. The licensed victuallers constitute one of the most powerful trade organisations in New Zealand, and the strength of this federation was drawn upon to reverse the victory gained by the Masterton temperance party. The latter on its side was backed by the Alliance, so that the issue was no mere local tempest in a tea pot, but a tug of war between the publicans and prohibitionists of New Zealand. The result will be watched almost aB keenly by dwellers in Auckland and in Dunedin as by residents in this town. Ihe question is no longer one of whether a number of publicans in Masterton go to the wall, but rather one which will decide whether the Licensing Act can be administered as a Prohibition Act in .New Zealand. In the first instance we expressed a hope that the Licensing Committee which was elected would take a moderate view of its responsibilities, and be satisfied with controlling publicans licenses, but now the matter is on a very different footing. It is war to the knife, and if the temperance party win, it will be bound to close every licensed house in the Borough as fast as the Act will permit. Under " The Regulation of Local Election? Act" the invalidating of an election causes an extraordinary vacancy, and a new election muse be held within twenty»five days from this date. It is extremely probable that this new election will actually take place within the time specified, though under the Licensing Act the Governor has power to appoint when certain informalities arise. It is believed, however, that these informalities haye not occurred in connection with the late election, and if this be so a new election is the only alternative. The matter will be referred to the Crown Law officers, and no doubt influence will be brought to bear on the Government by both parties to intervene, but it is very doubtful whether Mmisters.even if they possess the power to take a side in the dispute, would care to exercise it. On the whole, a new election will be the most satisfactory solution of the difficulty. Settlers generally understand the bearings of the question at issue aud are well qualified to give a deliberate verdict. There are a considerable number of settlers who do not hold with either side, who on the one hand will not accept total prohibition, and who on the other are not satisfied to see either an unlimited number of licensed houses in the town or a single one that is ill regulated. These moderate men, though not in the fore front of the battle, are sufficiently numerous to determine the contest, and the result .vill very much depend upon the course which t'ley wi". adopt. |

It is to be ret»rctte4 terton Poultry Shol exhibits signs of anl collapse, the number ol

last year's record of 4*B to 103. Thelinesuponwhicb.it b/ls been managed during tbe past /two years have been decidedly faulty,,'and the result is not altogether unexpected. The dog exhibits may possibly retrieve the fortunes of the Association ! These are a novelty, and let us Lope that instead of going to the dogs, -the latter j will come to the rescue ot the Show and saye it from failure.'