LIQUOR POLLS

Grey River Argus, 28 February 1947, Page 5

LIQUOR POLLS

MASTERTON DISTRICT To be Divided for Voting P.A. MASTERTON, February 2'7. Following a conference with local body representatives tonight, the Minister of Justice (Hon. H. G. R. Mason), indicated that the former Masterton nolicence district would be divided into northern and southern areas. He said the division would be in accordance with their communities of interest, and in each ot the two areas a poll would be taken -on a simple issue, namely: "I Vote for Trust Control”; or: "I Vote Against Trust Control”. The Minister said that a poll would be taken as soon as possible, and that Parliament would be guided by the polls, and would legislate to give the people of the two areas the best possible system, if they voted for Trust control; if the people voted against Trust control, the Wairarapa and Pahiatua Licensing Committees would be given authority to issue new licences. Declaring that he did not wish to enter into details, which could be settled later, the Minister said that people could rest assured that the constitution of a Trust would provide for a majority of local control, and in no way would it be a Government affair. Because there were more local bodies concerned, there could not be a Trust like Invercargill for the area should the poll decide for that form of control. The Minister emphasised that he would be guided entirely by the wishes of the people.