The Clutha Leader. BALCLUTHA: FRIDAY, MARCH 16, 1894.

Clutha Leader, Volume XX, Issue 1025, 16 March 1894, Page 5

The Clutha Leader. BALCLUTHA: FRIDAY, MARCH 16, 1894.

For many years social reformers throughout the British dominions have been loud, earnest,- and persistent in their demands that the question of the liquor traffic should ha referred to the decision of the people by direct vote at the ballot box. Great rejoicing was indulged in when, a fewt months ago, a Local Option Act was passed for the Colony, although the joy was mitigated by a sense of the imperfection and injustice of some of the provisions embodied in the Aot. But such as it is the efficacy of the law will be put to the test on Wednesday first, when the electors of every district will decide whether they wish the present number of licenses to be continued, reduced, or all licenses done away with. This we regard as the most important question ever submitted for the decision of the electors of the Colony, and if any elector fails, without goocl cause, to record his or her vote, then we think it would enly be just that the name of such elector should not have a place on the roll. It is not that a single vote may in itself be of so much value, but that from the peculiar provision of the Act the loss of a single vote may render the whole poll invalid, and all the trouble and expense go for nothing. Besides, in order to settle the matter, a full — not a partial expression of the public mind on the question is wanted, and this can only be got by the whole electors, both men and women, attending and recording their votes at' the polling booths on Wednesday next. It is most sincerely to be hoped that the whole body of the electors will realise their responsibilities on this occasion and act accordingly.