THE LOCAL OPTION POLL.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 298, 10 September 1908, Page 6

THE LOCAL OPTION POLL.

The Second Ballot Bill has caused'uneasiness in various quarters, the latest to be aroused to the possibilities underlying the proposed' chango in our election methods being the advocates of NoLiconse. Under the existing law it is provided that the local option poll shall be taken on the day of the general election. Under the Second Ballot Bill'there appears to bo some room for doubt as to the exact day on which the general election will, as a matter of law, be held—that is to say, whether in the case of a second ballot being necessary the local option poll for that particular electorate taken at the date of the first ballot will hold good, or whether a socond local option poll,will be necessary. Presumably the day of the general election would be the day on which the first ballot was held, but the law is a (tricky thing, and bitter experience has taught the advocates of No-License, as well as their opponents, that it' is unwise to leave anything to chance. We have no sympathy with the Second Ballot proposal, but if it is to pass into law it should be made as clear as possible on all doubtful issues, and it is plainly necessary that the question of its effect in regard to the local option poll should be plainly stated. Sir Joseph, Ward, we believe, holds the opinion that there can be no doubt that the local option poll must be taken on the day of the First "Ballot, and that a poll so taken will hold good irrespective of whether or not a second ballot for the Parliamentary election becomes necessary. Probably he is right; but it would be more satisfactory to all concerned to havo any doubt on the subject removed by the insertion of a clause to that effect in the BiH. "