AS OTHERS SEE US.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1309, 12 December 1911, Page 5

AS OTHERS SEE US.

COMMENT ON THE' ELECTIONS. SURPRISE IN AUSTRALIA. By Telegraph-Press Asßool/Ulon-Oopjriehi Sydney, December 11. Archdeacon Boyoo says tho Now Zealand Prohibition vote was a magnificent moral victory-tho Empire in this generation has probably seen no greater moral victor}'. It looks as if the next election will mean tho death and burial of the wholo liquor traffic in New Zealand. The "Daily Telegraph," commenting on the elections, says that the result is in doubt. Surprise is expressed at tho success of tho Opposition in. making up a-) much leeway, and also at the strength of tho Prohibition vote. Tho latter suggests that the time is coming when New Zealand will go absolutely dry. When only about ten thousand votes on a total poll of nearly half a million is required to ensure this, it is a fair conclusion that the "writing is on the wall." Dealing with the Labour vote, tho polling shows, says tho paper, that the Labour voters are beginning to organise, The "Sydney Morning Herald" says tho voting so* far has disclosed a'sbate of feeling which must be as unwelcome to tho Prime Minister ns it was unexpected by the people in general. If the 'Ministry falls it will do so rather by tho automatic loss of publio interest than from any other cause. Tho Prohibition vote was as remarkable in its way as tho Parliamentary polling. Though a three-fifths majority was not secured it was so near as to give the liquor trade an exh-eniely precarious basis of popular support.