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New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 9047, 7 May 1888, Page 4

The local option election which takes place to-day in three wards of tho city —though not accompanied by that excitement which usually attends elections, and more especially those relating to the liquor traffic — still one of importance, as fixing a position for the space of throe years. We take it that the public do not desire any increase to the number of public-houses in the city, and a prominent member of the licensing committees of the three districts in question, gives the assurance in another column that they (the committees) are of the same mind. Still, with all the laudable desire to spare the community from needless trouble and excitement which this assurance indicates, it is to be recollected that this important power has been placed in the hands of the people, whose right it is to put it in exercise irrespective of what may or may not be the intentions of tho Licensing Committees. Even though our correspondent was enabled to pledge the intentions of his colleagues, neither ho nor they can be in a position to sneak for the committees of next year and the year succeeding, or say that they are 5< fully determined" not to grant any new licenses in either district." It is therefore the duty of the ratepayers to not forego the privilege which the law has placed in their hands, but to determine by vote whether thoy do or do not desire any increase in the number of publichouses in City. North, South, and East during the following three years. Assuming that tho public do not desire such increase, it is their duty to say so, and we trust that the matter will be re-

carded as of sufficient importance as affecting the well-being of society so that our fellow-citizens will not regard it as either " trouble " or " expense ' to go to the booth and express < their will on the subject. Without raising the point at issue on the temperance question, wo may state that it is pretty well agreed that the public do not sutler at the present time from any deficiency m the accommodation or number of shops 01 the sale of intoxicating liquors ; so that on that ground there need be no-de-mand for an increase of number , while on the other hand it is generally agreed that an increase of licensed houses would probably lead to an increase of drunkenness, a consummation which no | right-thinking man should desire. in these circumstances, we think that it would show a regrettable amount 01 in- | d i fference on a subject of very grave social importance if but a_ few ot our teliowcitizens evinced an interest on the subject, by going to record their votes , and irrespective altogether of what may be the intentions of the Licensing Committees who hold the power during the first of the three years over which this decision will extend, we trust that citizens generally will express their will to-day on the 'subject. The good men who now control the traffic might peradventure not be in office next year or the year after ; and in the chapter of accidents it might come to pass that had men might take their place, _ and feel inclined to vex the soul of citizens by a multiplication of public-houses. Therefore ratepayers should take advantage of the good men being in office, and of the favouring wind of public sentiment, a,nd should clench to good resolutions of the Licensing Committee, lest even righteous men stretch forth their hands unto iniquity ; and whether the Licensing Committees may be good or bad, it is the function of the people to say, if they so desire it, that no new licenses shall be granted in the city proper, by the space of the next three years.

The Chinese trouble is coming rapidly to a head. As will be seen from our telegrams, the Government have at last determined to take action to impede the landing of the Chinese now on their way from Australia, and the law being insufficient in its stringency, they have resolved, after the fashion of the Australian colonies, to resort to the somewhat clumsy method of quarantine. But our friends in the South are bent on more vigorous measures, and seem inclined to repel the invaders vi et amis. It is to be regretted that the Government has not taken decisive action more promptly, so as to avoid the | growth of popular excitement on the subject; but the resort to quarantine, and the delay that may afford for legislation being effected will probably allay the effusive display of zeal at the metropolis of Southland. Indeed, so far as the Chinese themselves are concerned, it will be more agreeable for them to remain in quarantine than to attempt to run the blockade of public feeling in its present excited state ; for even if they passed the cordon of the vigilance committee, the boycott to which the people purpose resorting would cause them considerable inconvenience at the least- Although the course threatened in the South is somewhat lawless, it is only fair to say that on two other occasions—at Capetown and at Melbourne—similar determination to prevent an objectionable landing proved effective, the Imperial Government yielding to such a manifestation of determined opposition. There can be no doubt that the Imperial Government will not rigidly enforce its will in _ the face of expressed resolution from every portion of the colonies, at the same time this sudden accession of excitement over what. is but an ordinary incident in a course which has been proceeding for many years, seems a little overdone. The evil has not yet assumed such aggravated proportions as to demand the resort to lawless means of redress, and though the exhibition of resolution on the part of the people has its value, the question is one that eminently deserves to be treated with prudence and calmness, because of the national issues involved, and certainly is not one that we can expect to be advanced much in the way of a satisfactory 1 solution by the exhibition of mo law.