THE PREMIER AND THE PROHIBITIONIST.

Evening Post, Volume LXV, Issue 69, 23 March 1903, Page 4

THE PREMIER AND THE PROHIBITIONIST.

A considerable amount of comment has been made on tho action of the New Zealand Alliance in Bcekiug an interview with the Premier in regard to a certain phase of the Newtown Licensing Committee election, and tho Allinnco lias been charged with luiving improperly sought to influence the Government in tho matter. That is not by nny means a correct statement of tho caso. Mr, Isitt and his friends complain of certain alleged irregularities that marked tJw Nowtown election. Thoy , naturally wish to bo safeguarded nn far ns may be posBiblo again/it the recurrence of a slate of things that quite conceivably might result in tho desire of a majority of tho doctors being frustrated. They desire, by deputation, in tlio usual way, to sUto their case to the Premier, and seek redress. Tlio answer is in effect that tho Returning Officer i» a statutory officer, that tho Act defines his duties, nnd provides tho penalties for nonfulfilmcnt. But if tho statute law does nob cover by express provision the irregularities complained of, what recourse havo tho complainant* ? Tho Premier says thub his desire is to maintain a position of neutrality and impartiality ns between tUo parties, and offers as proof of that dosire rofufml of audience. If there have .been irregularities that the law cannot correct, it in clear that it should, if possible, bo amended to prevent repetition, and who, if not tho Premier, is tho first person to determine whether tho law wliall bo flo amended? Mr. Soddbn just now is not unnatutally crying! "A plague on both your bouses," but that will not absolve him from his duty to try nnd deal even-handed justice to both. Is ho holding tho balance fairly in refusing to listen to the plaint of tho Prohibitionists T It scorns to us that; he is not.