HOW MANY WILL BE CLOSED?

Evening Post, Volume LXXVII, Issue 51, 2 March 1909, Page 3

HOW MANY WILL BE CLOSED?

FBt Telegbaph. — Special to Tns Post.] AUCKLAND 1 , This Day. The election of a Licensing Committee to the City Licensing District bids fair to be a battle royal between the two parties. Reduction was carried at the recent poll, and the question now' at issue is whether the maximum reduction of 25 per ceily., as allowed by the Act, should be effected or whether a smaller number of houses shall be closed. If full reduction is carried out, it will mean the closing of fourteen hotels. The members of the present committee, who are standing tor re-election, have pledged themselves, in the event of being retui'ned, to close the full number. The Citizens' League, a body which has been recently formed to watch over the interests of citizens in general, has also nominated a ticket of five "unpledged" candidates. This ticket is being supported by the Trade, and five independent candidates have also teen nominated, making a field of fifteen in all. The newspaper controversy, which fo|med a prominent feature of the local option campaign prior to the recent poll being taken, has been actively resumed by the "Band of Business Men," who represent tho Nolicense party, and an interesting trial <-f strength next week may be looked forward to.