Manawatu Daily Times To-day’s Election

Manawatu Times, Volume LIV, Issue 6857, 12 March 1929, Page 6

Manawatu Daily Times To-day’s Election

'J'HE fact that there are only thirteen contested licensing committee elections in the seventy-six electorates of the Dominion to-day is a striking commentary on the change in public opinion that has taken place in the last twenty years or so. Even comparatively young men and women must have vivid recollections of the stern battles which were waged over the choice of those who were to have the not very enviable task of the licensing laws properly administered. Indeed, in some cases the fights were not less stem than those which were waged over the no-license referendum.

To-day neither enthusiasm nor hostility appears to be aroused in any part of the Dominion, although curiously enough in one electorate, Central Otago, no fewer than twenty-five candidates are going to the poll for the five seats on the committee ! This almost universal absence of interest and enthusiasm may or may not be a good thing, but it does emphasises one fact. Even the most rabid opponent of the licensed trade must admit that the electors generally appear to be satisfied with the administration of the licensing laws, otherwise there would be lively debates and keen contests.

Palmerston, one of the soberest cities in the Dominion, is one of the thirteen places to have an election to-day. The five sitting members of the committee are again nominated together with two candidates standing in the interests of Labour—or more correctly, in the interests of the lxotel workers. One of these, Mr. Allerby, is secretary of the Hotel Workers’ Union, and the other is Mr. J. Hodgens, who has an excellent record of useful service on the Borough Council and must be reckoned with in the contest to-day.

The excuse these two estimable gentlemen advance lor entering the lists is a desire to improve the “deplorable conditions” under which hotel workers are compelled to live in certain houses. While we have every respect for the public spirit of Messrs. Hodgens and Allerby, it must be patent to ail—not excluding themselves—that their case for better accommodation would have been considerably strengthened had more been heard of it before. It is surely a reflection on the champions of Labour themselves that these “deplorable conditions’’ have never previously even been hinted at, while the allegation is also a very grave reflection on the members of the Licensing Committee, who by no stretch of the imagination can be accused of partisanship and whose conduct of their duties has always been marked by careful and conscientious service.

A unique record has been established by one member of the committee, Mr. J. M. Johnston, who amid the multifarious duties of a busy life, has served continuously on the committee for thirty years, and it would be a graceful act on the part of the citizens to show their appx-cciation of Mr. Johnston’s services by once again electing him to the committee.

Installations provided by tho Mana-watu-Oroua Power Board are valued at £101,268 13s. Of this amount, £90,866 10s has been collected by the controlling body. ' In answering a deputation yesterday with regard to euchre parties, Hon. T. M. Wilford said: “I cannot give anyone the right to break the law. What you can do is to work for its repeal, and I believe that there are very few members of Parliament to-day who would voto against an amendment to the Act to give you what you want.” The deputation represented school committees! lodges and others..

Sharlands will merge with Young’s chemical company as from March 31. The title of the combination will be Sharland and Co. Ltd., with which is incorporated Young’s chemical company. Mr. .T. A. Nash, M.P. presided at the monthly meeting of the Manawatu Oroua Power Board held yesterday. The following board members were present:—Messrs. M. A. Eliott, J. Linklater M.P., P. J. Small, J. Hodgens, A Campbell, 0. McElroy, J. S. Tingcv. H. H. Hunt, F. Roberts and L. T. McLean. Sir James Wilson was .granted leave of absence*