THE LOCAL OPTION POLLS

Lyttelton Times, Volume CVIII, Issue 12986, 29 November 1902, Page 7

THE LOCAL OPTION POLLS

TO THE ED£TOS. 1 Sir, —In view ,of the very genesaldisoussion that has 'taken , place Bine* last Tuesday as to the correct method of ascertaining the decision of tWvoters at the local option polls, as laid down by “ The Alcoholio Liquors Sale Control Act, 1895,”, your answer to “Pro Bono” in to-day’s issue iM somewhat misleading. You have not dis* tinguished between votes and voters. You say, “If 1000 votes are polled, 501 would he sufficient to . carry reduction,” whereas the correct statement should bo “If 1000 voters,-all valid, polled, 501 would he suSL. cicnt to carry reduction.” Every voterhas the right to record two votes, and these can be given for, any two of the issues setout on the ballot paper. Many voters record in favour of no-license and continuance, and this does not make their paper informal, hut one vote is set down for nolicense and one for continuance. Hence the importance of distinguishing between votes’ and voters when discussing the method of finding the result of the polls.— -I am, etc, Nov. 28, 1902. __________ G.A.L.

AERIED. P-By distress of stock people intended An amendment found and the Premier’s all carried unamended. PPain IN NEW SOUTH WALES. ■• ' • (Received Nov. 28, 10.24 p.m.) ,:'' SYDNEY, Nov. 28. '.Bain has fallen steadily all day.- The 'all extends over the greater part- of 'the ;tate, including the Darling country. -.'THE SUGGESTED REFUND OF 'it; 1 ’ DUTIES. ;'i. PROTEST FROM SOUTH'AUSjf “ * TR-ALIA. (Received Nov. 29, 1.9 a.m.) .• ADELAIDE, Nov. 28. ivThe Premier telegraphed to Sir Edmund Jaxton: “The newspapers report that you tated that if- any State refunded the duty an ' fodder and breadstuffs, no objection would come from the Commonwealth. I sinnot believe that you were correctly reported. If the report is correct, I respectfully protest against the connivance of The Federal Executive with such a gross violation of the Constitution. 'South Australia sympathises deeply with the suffering'people of sister States, but their necessities should be relieved in other ways than abrogating the Constitution.” After further strongly protesting, the Premier concludes that such a breach of the Federal contract was fraught with present injustice and future danger. ~