LOCAL OPTION IN DUNEDIN.

Evening Star, Issue 7496, 14 April 1888, Page 3

LOCAL OPTION IN DUNEDIN.

TO THIS KIHTOIt, Sir,— The pollin'' will be taken in Dunedin on Monday under the local option provisions of the Licensing Act. This poll will determine whether or not the ratepayers of tho City desire nny more licenses to be granted for the rale of liquor within the Dunedin licensing district during the next three years. It is to be Imped the ratepayers will turn up in force, and let their opinions be known with certainty. The danger is that many will say to themselves there is no fear of the result of this vote. Everyone knows we have liquor shops enough now, and no one will want more. Liquor men and teetotallers will all vote against new houses, and there is no need for me to trouble. That is the reasoning, I believe, that has as a rule induced so many to refrain from voting against an increase of licenses. Lot every voter go to the poll. The franchise in this matter is a solemn responsibility. Croat issues hang upon the results of the voting. The teetotallers and the many “ moderate ” men who arc opposed to an increase of licensed houses may he caught napping if each one depends on his neighbor voting and fails to vote himself. There are houses in Dunedin for which some are watching their opportunity to obtain a license, and there are on the present “moderate” Licensing Committee at least two men who, if I understand them correctly, will give licenses if they can to all who ask for them ; and we know not who are personally interested in the extension of the retail liquor trade. The right thing, and therefore the safe thing, for ratepayers who are satisfied that we have grog shops and to spare is for them to go to the poll on Monday and register their opinions there. We shall in that case, I am confident, have no new licenses granted in Dunedin for the next three years.—l am, etc., Vox Popum. Dunedin, April 13.