THE CITY LICENSING ELECTION.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXI, Issue 67, 20 March 1900, Page 4

THE CITY LICENSING ELECTION.

An exceptional amount of interest is being manifested in the election to-morrow of a Licensing Committee for the City of Auckland. The contest that will then be decided is one presenting two clear issues. Of the ten candidates, five have pledged themselves to revert to ten o'clock closing, while the other five, it is understood, are satisfied that the present hour of

eleven is in the best interests of the public. At the time of the extension of the hour of closing from 10 to 11, in September, IS9B, there was an outcry ou the part of the prohibition party, who claimed that no notice was given, and that an opportunity of an organised public protest should have been vouchsafed. The temperance party determined that it was time that new blood was introduced on the Com-

mittee. As if in response to this demand, five gentlemen came forward for Hie present election who may justly be spoken of as leading citizens, and whose lengthy experience on public bodies ensures the capable discharge of their duties should they be returned as a Licensing Committee. Only one of the number was a member of the old Committee. The temperance party would not ask for better representation were it not that these gentlemen are said to believe in the continuance of eleven o'clock licenses; but this being so, five opposition candidates have been brought forward. Estimable as may be in their party's eyes the conviction of these gentlemen that a. reversion to fen o'clock as the hour for the closing of hotels is advisable, their most rabid supporters could not conscientiously

claim for them, as a body, the wide experience in local politics that the other side must be ceded as an indisputable right. Did this question of the closing hour not obtrude, it self opposition to Messrs Graves Aiekin. T. T. .Masefleld, J. M. Mennie, Robert Tudehope, and J. H. Upton would probably have not been so much as suggested. As regards the hour of closing, it may be pointed out that in Wellington, Christchurch. and Dunedin eleven stands undisputed as the time. Here, before September, IS9S, it is notorious that not one but the majority of hotels broke the law, both in' the matter of after hours and Sunday trailing. Since the concession of eleven o'clock, it is equally certain that the law is practically obeyed to the letter. Whereas formerly the bars of many of the leading- hotels w*eve open till early in the morning, now we . positively affirm that a drink is not obtainable I after eleven, while as to Sunday trading in the city such a thing does not exist. It is not our intention to argue that if 10 o'clock is fixed as the hornit should not be rigorously enforced [but we are of opinion that the diffi;culty ten o'clock closing presents is jno small one. It is mainly the people iwho arrive late by boats or trains, or j who have been attending concerts, j lectures, meetings or theatres, who | are inconvenienced. Such persons, i used to a glass of some stimulant before retiring, are not easily denied, and the task of preventing their getfino- a ' drink is a difficult one for the la'ndlpi-cl, while it serves no temperance object" We would rather see the hotels conducted as they have been since September, IS9S, than carrying on an illegal trade, which is as lowering to the section of the community who participate in it as it is depraving to the landlords. Could we believe that any good object would be achieved by reverting to 10 o'clock closing we would advocate the change, but, convinced that the best interests of morality, as well as the comfort of the minority, without a tittle of sacrifice by the majority, are

||B |,|in, B iniMiiß.»_-_-l-n_rii . served by present conditions, we must support the advisability of continuing the present hour. Therefore, as the only five candidates who are not absolutely pledged to reinstating* 10 o'clock closing, we urge all those who are eligible to vote to do so for Messrs GRAVES AICKIX 'j'. T. MASEFIELD -.-.., M. .MENNIE ..-.BERT TUDEHOPE .j. H. UPTON. The poll, it may be pointed out, is not a:ratepayers'"poll. Every person in the electoral division of Auckland whose name was on the roll for the general election is entitled to, and should exercise their vote.