Wairarapa Daily Times. [ESTABLISHED 1878.] WEDNESDAY, MARCH 14, 1894. LICENSING NOMINATIONS.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XV, Issue 4669, 14 March 1894, Page 2

Wairarapa Daily Times. [ESTABLISHED 1878.] WEDNESDAY, MARCH 14, 1894. LICENSING NOMINATIONS.

seoomd edition

THEProhibitionandTpraperaiiceparly in Masterton have very wisely decided that they will not notmoale any can didates lor the Licensing Oommitteo, but will devote tbir energies to bringing a sufficient number of electors to {he poll to vote" No' Licence." If, is not diffioulfc to understand tbe hatred • oufl obagrinwit'b- which the honest and enthusiastic temperance adpootte regards tbe Alcoholio I/iquors Sale Control Aot, As the Rev'. R. Wood declared on.Monday night, the Licensing Coinmittee, as constituted under the Aot, is a mere tool, bound-to carry out the wishes "of the electors, Thus, it is quite possible that a Prohibitionist might be elected on the committee, wbioh wpuld be compelled from the result of tbe poll to grant a license to a publioan. Imagine the feelings of a Prohibitionist who would becompelled by jaw to grant licenses to the" dens' oi iniquity," for by such terras are the publio homes known.to the true teetotaller. In all probability there will be no change in the. majority of liceni eing dtatriotß, for the Aot distinctly slates that ifthefieturniug Officer, on counting the votes, finds that 'the total number of votes recorded at the poll does not amount to ono half of the total number of. electors on the roll, he shall declare the pjll to be void. When we remember that even with all the excitement usual at a General Election it is sometimes difficult to get half the electors to poll and rarely more than two-tbirgS, how can anyone expect that a threefifths majority of the total votes on the.,list will bo the *reaUlt_ pf the coming ejection ] Aa manifesting the indifference with which the general pafilic treat the new Act in the Masterton district, it is significant that only three persons jamungat many thousands of high and low, rich and poor come forward as ; independent candidates. The trade, in its own interests has supplied, nine other candidates, seven of whom .must necessarily be returned, It is to the credit of the trade that it sought to secure llio florvices of the very best men in tbe community, but these very, best men in several instances declined to stand, and sq the best available men were subatituft'd, Tlj'9 public who desire to see the liquor traffic controlled have to thank the trade tor giviog them: a respectable .licensing committee, but we confess that we despair somewhat of the success of tbe new Act in the face of tbe general apathy displayed by the people in its administration,