REDUCTION IN AUCKLAND.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XXIX, Issue 7816, 8 June 1909, Page 1

REDUCTION IN AUCKLAND.

In connection with the closing of five hotels m Auckland, a.prominent member of the trade estimates the loss on the houses closed at from £17,000 to £20,000, after allowing for the value remaining m the property apart from 'the license tp sell, spirituous liquors. . A representative,of the Campbell and Ehrenfried Company, .Limited, when asked his opinion 'oh-the position, expressed some disappointment! that the committee-, had not- adhered to the minimum number m carrying ■ into effect the reduct on vote. The fact that, at the local,option poll reduction was carried by the small majority of. 198 votes out of a .total'on-the roll: of nearly ,27,000 showed that'there! was nof by any means an overwhelming majori* ty m favour of, that issue. " The trade has received a very serious blow," he added, " and its effect will be felt, on the first of next .month,; when about thirty hotels m thY Auckland* district will close their doors. These losses will strike the trade-very' : heavily, and also throw a number of'people out of employment. I do not to discuss the fairness or otherwise.of the reduction vote,, which-most fair-minded and thoughtful .people regard as immoral." ,' Mr W Tesl6y Spragg,. a no-license advocate, when- iutervxewed, said: "I wish to say that.we/kiiew beforehand what to expect. •, -We did,rnot expect anything else from" a committee ap- ' proved ,by the brewers and elected-by the expenditure of: their money. and energy. I. take,' it for ■ granted,'.that, there ,has been; discretion shown by thecommittee, but; I am , not -£dngidering between one liotel and' another.' We have ho quarrel with any man or any house. Our aim is to abolish the public sale of liquor. I wish, however, to call attention to the fact that this committee has entirely forgotten the expression of thf, majority at the local option poll when reduction was carried." ..-',.