Reduction in Auckland.

Northland Age, Volume V, Issue 16, 7 December 1908, Page 5

Reduction in Auckland.

Eeduction has been carried in Auckland City by 199 votes. Chatting with one Avho has just returned from that city we were informed that the No License party are now making great preparations for the coming election of Licensing Justices. The idea of this party is, so we understand, to get their own clique returned and to forthwith close all the hotels in Queen-street. Perhaps this is not exactly the intention but the idea is to close all the best hotels in the hope that the smaller and leßs well-conducted houses may, in the avaricious grasping at wealth, infringe thalaw and be closed by the Courts. Oi course the No License advocates have no consideration for the travelling public and if they have their way visitors to Auckland will find good accommodation a minus quantity. Though a severe blow has been dealt at “ the trade ” by this reduction vote if the water party succeed in accomplishing their object, and all the better houses are closed, the country visitor to the city will pay a very dear price for the success of Fad and Co. However, the. No License party have not yet closed the best of the Auckland licensed houses but should unjust method prove to be one of the party’s weapons it. is certain that it will lose as much if not more than it will gain. The only honest and proper course to pursue in giving effect to “reduction” is to close those hotels which have the smallest accommodation for bparders or which may have been misconducted in the past.