THE LICENSING ELECTIONS.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XV, Issue 4628, 23 January 1894, Page 2

THE LICENSING ELECTIONS.

Impecunious Local Bodies to

be Assisted.

Precautions Against Dummy Candidates..

It may bo remembered says (the N.Z. Times) that during the progress of the Alcoholic Liquors Sale Aot through the House last session, the Premier made a statement to the effect that in cases vyhere the local bodies were pablethrough want of means to undertake the conduct of the lioensing elections the Government would be disposed to oome to their assistance. The assurance was given in reply to the representations made by various members that the expense entailed Kpon the local authorities in 1 oparsely-settledoountrydistricts by the oarrying out of the oleotions oonteD?" plated by the Act would praotically absorb the major part of their revenue for the year. This matter engaged the attention of Qabinet yesterday,and it was resolved tbat in cases where local bodies in oountry districts have not the means to carry out these elections the Government will help them out of the difficulty. We understand that these licensing elections wil) in. volve a total outlay of at least £SOOO or £6OOO, and probably as muoh as £7OOO.

: There is another faofc in connection with these elections whioh we apprehend is very little known, and whioh cottainly_ requires to be placed, before uue jiuolio, It is |hut the same precautions are to he taken against dummy candidates as in the case of' Parliamentary elootions. In other words, eaoh candidate for lioensing bench honours will have to lodgo a deposit of £lO, which will be forfeited in case he does not poll one tenth of the votes reoorded for the lowest of the successful candidates in his particular district.