MASTERTON LICENSING ELECTION

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 255, 21 July 1908, Page 6

MASTERTON LICENSING ELECTION

. ' CLOSE FIGHT PREDICTED. • . v (BX TSLEGKAm. —SFECIAL CORRESPONDENT.) . ; Mastorton, July 20. . ■ Although, it is months bofore i the election takes place; one of the main topics'of'conversation on the.trains and ill tho country. , and towns, is the way'tho Masterton electorate will view tho local-option poll. There ' , aro already'signs "that.-:'there will , bo a big fight. • Both parties have taken the fiola with their representatives, who," are practic- . ally making a house-to-house canvass. Financially the Masterton No-Licenso party is stronger than it has over, been , before, one. donation alone amounting to £100,' and its opening efforts /show .a . largo amount of enthusiasm.,. Mr. H. D. Bedford delivered a ■ vigorous speech;against '.'The Trade" gen-, orally..tho'-other evening to a largo audience, 75 nor cent', ofjvh'om; wcro women, but so fa .'"there 'has been, no statement mado.that the opposition intend to bring- forward any . public speaker ill their , interests. There seems, to be aii opinion that tho change from . I], • to 10 o'clock licenses will help the licensed victuallers considerably voting day, iu it is said to havo dono in Christchur&i, but there is hardly'any doubt that the cam. ■.- . paign.'willbe strongly fought with'tho possibility of a.very close finish.. ' ,