THE LIQUOR QUESTION.

Evening Star, Issue 13090, 24 October 1908, Page 2

THE LIQUOR QUESTION.

POSITION IN SOUTHLAND. [Special to the Star.] INVERCARGILL, October 24. There is not a great deal of interest being taken in the liquor question in Southland as yet, at least, and so far as Invercargill is concerned the question is practically dead. The public seem to be taking it for granted that No-license will again be carried, and the Liquor party are making no effort to upset the present position. However, to tost the feeling of the people on the question, it is probable that a prominent local brewer (Mr L. G. Roope) will contest the Invercargill seat with Mr Hanan, but not the most sanguine of Mr Roopc’s supporters imagines that he will interfere much with Mr Hanan’s chances of re-election. A little public feeling has been making itself apparent against the local No-liccnse people, who have been lecturing in other centres on ‘lnvercargill from Within,’ on account of allegedly incorrect and misleading statements concerning the benefits said to bo the result of Noliocso in Invercargill. The Prohibitionists certainly have not gained ground locally by their stories up North. The general impression here is that No-licenso has not had a fair chance, with the depots on the border, and a good many people, who do not consider that, there have been many benefits during the past three years, will again “strike out tho top line,” to give the cause another trial.

In Awarua there will be war to the knife, and the interest of the public in Southland generally is centred on this area, which extends from north of Winton to Stewart Island. The Prohibitionists place their hopes hi Winton and the neighborhood, while the “trade” pin their faith on the Bluff, and arc straining every nerve to carry Continuance. The figures at the last poll were: 1,820 for Continuance, 2,135 for Reduction and 2,493 for No-license. The No-lioense party hope to poll a goodly number of those who voted for Reduction in 1905, and thus avail themselves of a win. On the other hand, the “ trade ” think that they will be well on the tight side when the numbers go up. The hotelkeepers have become very careful, and are most law-abiding. J In the Wallace electorate the general impression is that things will remain in much tho same stsAe, and Riverton residents in particular think that only a “fluke” or a sudden change of opinion will carry Nolioense at the coming poll. The figures at the last election were: 1,926 for Continuance, 2,026 for Reduction and 2,476 for No-licenss; and from these it will be seen that the majority in favor of' No-lioonse at last-election was,.smaller in, proportion than