LOCAL OPTION POLL. STILL UNCERTAIN.

Evening Post, Volume LXXVI, Issue 122, 21 November 1908, Page 2

LOCAL OPTION POLL. STILL UNCERTAIN.

POSITION OF THE HUTT. PUBLIC MEETING LAST NIGHT. By to-night the fate of the Hutt electorate in regard to the result of the Local Option poll should be known. Last night an open-air meeting was held in Petone in regard to the official refusal to allow scrutineers to attend at the recount to-day. Several hundred persons were present. "We meet here," began Mr. Townsend, "not as No-license leaguers or members of the Licensed Victuallers' Association, top-liners or continuance voters ; we meet here as British subjects in the interests of British fairplay, understanding that considerable opposition is being brought against what is the usual custom, that of allowing the scrutineers to represent us at the official recount. But since I have called this meeting the Department has climbed down. We are told we can have a scrutineer as long as we call him something else. (Loud laughter.) It is absolutely necessary that the law should be so amended that there should be no doubt about both parties having the right to be represented at all recounts, especially as in our case we represent three-fifths of the electors." The speaker emphasised upon those present the necessity of bearing themselves manfully on the morrow (Saturday) whether they carried the day or not. "If," he concluded, "we are successful, do not lose your heads ; if you are defeated, bear it like men and come up smiling at the next election." In response to an invitation from the crowd, Mr. J. Piper next addressed the meeting. He was given a hearty reception and then explained fully how the matter stood. Subsequently the following motion was unanimously carried : — "That tliis meeting of citizens protests against the attitude of the Electoral Department in opposing the presence of an appointed scrutineer of the No-license party at the official recount ip connection with the LocaJ Option poll, as being opposed to the principles of justice and fair play, and also as being contrary to custom and the general understanding of the law, and instructs Mr. Townsendto bring these matters before the notice of the Prime Minister, the Minister for Justice, and the Chief of the Electoral Department, and to ask that the law be amended (if necessary) so as to allow the scrutineers of both parties to be present at all recounts in 'connection with the Local Option poll; and also asks that in all future appointments of returning officers, all deputy-returning officers, poll clerks, etc., men who art partisans shall not be appointed." Three cheers were then called for Messrs. Piper and Townsend, and the meeting quietly dispersed. Intense interest is being taken in today s official recount, the result of which is expected to be declared this evening