THE LOCAL OPTION POLLS.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXIX, Issue 283, 26 November 1908, Page 3

THE LOCAL OPTION POLLS.

WERE THEY VALID? TWO AUCKLAND SEATS POSSIBLY AFFECTED. "If the result of any census proves that the population of any electoral district has increased by twenty-five per centum of the whole population, as existing at the previous census, then a proposal as to whether there shall be an increase of licenses granted or not shall be submitted to the electors for their determination."

So reads part of Clause 14 of the Alcoholic Liquor Sales Control Act, and the question arises whether ov not this clause has been overlooked, since the Act distinctly provides that where there has been an increase of 25 per cent in population, a proposal to increase the number of licenses must be included in the ballot paper.

The position thus created involves a very intricate point. In the Auckland province there are two electorates where there has been a 25 per cent increase in the population, and where this fourth issue was never put to the electors, while the same difficulty has cropped up in various other parts of the Dominion. The matter is one which is now being considered by the highest legal authorities, and it is contended that in some districts it may be necessary to take fresh ballots, as provided in section 16 of the Licensing Acts Amendment Act of 1904. One of tile baffling points is just how far the Act can operate in this direction in view of the fact that the electoral boundaries of every district in the Dominion have been re-adjusted by the Representation Commissioners. Ju the South Island three electorates were blotted right out, and in the North Island a similar number of new electorates were created. In the Auckland province the country electoral districts were a good deal chopped about, while the city and urban electorates were also more or less altered in their confitruration.

Lnder the redistribution of seats, the Commissioners raised the quota for each electorate from within the vicinity of 11,600 to 13,400, and in making "their computation, the Commissioners added 28 per c«nt to the rural population under section 17 of the Act of 1908, and the total population of New Zealand (other than Maoris), with this addition, was divided amongst the 7(5 European members, and the quotient thus obtained is the quota given. If based upon the nominal population therefore, the number of electorates where there has been a 25 per cent, increase in the population would be very large indeed. For the purpose of the Act, however, it is necessary to make all computations upon an actual population basis, and included in the following table it will be seen there is one electorate in the Auckland province which carried reduction, and one which carried Nolicense, which show a 25 per cent increase between the time the 1901 and 1906 j censuses were taken. 1901 Census. 1000 Census. j Auckland City .. . 35,687 .. 40.337 Waiteinata 10.782 .. 12,534 Manukau 10.364 .. 11,102 Grey Lynn 9,716 .. ]3.4!)3 Eden 9,553 .. ]2^04 Parnell 10,511 .. 13.20S Ohinemuri 9,834 .. 11,535 It will therefore be seen that of these electorates Eden, which carried Xolicense, and Parnell, which carried '■ reduction, should have submitted the issue of the desirability of ar. increase in the number of licenses to the electors. Whether this makes the poll invalid is a question which lias been raised, and remains to be settled. Grey Lynn also shows an increase of 25 per cent in its population, but the is*ue there was simply confined to restoration or non-restoration. The totals in these three eases are as follows: — Increase Actual necessary. increase Eden 2377 .. 2751 Parnell 2627 . . 2(>07 Ohinemuri 245R .. 2701 Grey Lynn 242!) .. 3777 It is rather remarkable that no intimation was received by the returning officers from the chief electoral office upon this subject, prior to the election. Under the Act of 1004, provision is made that where any licensing poll is declared void under section 12. notice thereof shall be given by the chairman of the Court to the Returning Officer, and a fresh poll, on a day to be fixed by the returning officer, shall be taken not less than 40 days after the date of such notice. No such fresh poll is valid unless the number of voters recording valid votes thereat is not less than 55 per cent of the number of such voters at the voided poll. TRADE TO TAKE iS!O ACTION. A leading member of the Trade, when seen this morning, expressed surprise that the poll providing for increases in the number of licenses ha-d been apparently overlooked. Many members of the Trade thought it would have been an advantage if an increase in the number of licenses had been obtained in place" where the population warranted it. Kor instance, the population of Auckland city had increased enormously during the last few years, but there had been no corresponding increase in the number of hotels. In fact, as a result of the reduction poll having been carried at the last poll, there will actually be fewer hotels next June, despite our largely increased population, than there were twenty years ago.

" There is no possibility, however," he aded, "of the Trade taking any steps towards testing the result of the elections on the ground that the clause of the Act in question has been overlooked." "ANOTHER FIGHT WELCOMED." "If we can get a fresh poll in Parnell," declared a gentleman who took a prominent part in the No-license movement in connection with the recent election, "we will move heaven and earth to carry prohibition. There were certain quarters which, if properly aroused, would vote No-license, and no effort would be spared by our party if a fresh chance was given. Eden, I have not the slightest doubt, would repeat, its vote of last week, aad we would gladly welcome another fight. The subject is a delicate one, ajid at present it is impossible to say much, but legal advice will be sought upon the matter, and if the recent ballots are declared void, we will eagerly welcome another fight."