M INDEFENSIBLE PROPOSAL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVI, Issue 17110, 15 March 1919, Page 8

M INDEFENSIBLE PROPOSAL.

An intimation has been 'given to the Press Association by the Government that the result of the licensing referendum on April 10 will not be announced until all the returns have been compiled by the Minister for Justice. The meaning of the official statement is apparently that returning, officers in the various districts are to be instructed to keep secret the results of the polling ano that no information is to be given to the public so long as any of the returns are outstanding. It may ta possible to justify this decision by a legal interpretation of some phrases in the Act but customary practice and the legitimate interest of the public overshadow such legal quibbles, while in view of the circumstances of the poll the proposal becomes indefensible. Apparently a considerable number of soldiers will still be absent from the Dominion on April 10, and the result of their voting cannot bo known for some weeks. The ballot papers of soldiers in Britain and Western Europe are to be returned to the High Commissioner in London to be counted, those of soldiers in Egypt and Asia are to be counted in Egypt, while those of soldiers on transports or in Samoa are to be sent to Wellington to be counted. Until this elaborate process has been completed, no announcement is to be permitted regarding the polling in the Dominion —which may be decisive. A more reasonable course would bo to permit the publication of the returns by every returning officer, in accordance with time-honoured practice. The electors are entitled to know without delay the result of the poll, and the licensed trade may also fairly object to any step which unnecessarily obscure's its position, since a decision unfavourable to it becomes effective on July 1. It should be a simple matter for the Minister for Defence to announce on the evening of April 10 the number of soldiers absent from the Dominion, so that allowance may be made for their voles in examining the results of the Dominion polling. There is no occasion for any censorship in this matter. On the contrary the duty of the Government is to see that the result is made known as promptly as jiossible.