ANOTHER PROHIBITION SET-BACK

Evening Post, Volume CX, Issue 110, 5 November 1925, Page 6

ANOTHER PROHIBITION SET-BACK

On the figures available as this is writtenj the Prohibition movement has experienced another setback, and will be defeated by a majority greater than that recorded against it in 1922. We think it is time that attention should.be strongly directed to the results of referenda taken since 1911, the first year in which National Prohibition was submitted to the people. The percentages of total votes recorded for Prohibition have been:—loll, 55,83; 1914, 48.99; 1919 (April), 49.00; 1919 (December), 49.71; 1922, 48.57. It is highly probable that the 1025 percentage will be less than in 1922.' This surely indicates that there is not a, growing sentiment iv favour of Prohibition; and, further, it is boyond question that eveu if Prohibition were to be carried it would be by the narrowest margin—a result which we believe reasonable Prohibitionists would not welcome. It comes down to this, then: That every three years tho licensing issue is thrust before the country with great waste of energy and to the- possible confusion of the political contest, merely in order that the champions on either side may see whether they have lost or gained a decimal point. The arguments for longer intervals between polls are overwhelming. There is one other point to be noted in this year's referendum, and that is the increased vote for State Purchase and Control. We believe this to be the expression of a desire. for reform. Now that the political position shows greater stability, we hope that Parliament will lose no time in making legislative provision for reform. One part of that reform must be greater security of tenure, and this is an added argument against endless polling upon the issue.