THE LICENSING ISSUE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 20105, 16 November 1928, Page 12

THE LICENSING ISSUE.

A revulsion of public opinion is as clearly manifest in the result of the licensing poll as in the political situation. For the first time since the introduction of three issues, there has been an absolute majority in favour of the continuance of licences, while the vote against prohibition has so greatly increased that only two-fifths of the votes are recorded in its favour A variety of circumstances may have contributed to this severe reverse of the prohibition cause, hut so far as broad conclusions may be based upon the referendum, there is ample warrant for regarding the decision of the electors as emphatically against any attempt to facilitate the introduction of prohibition. Only a minority of the country has voted in support of a movement whose leaders have striven to obtain from Parliament provision for decision on a bare majority as between the two major issues, with polls every three years. An absolute majority has now declared its disapproval of prohibition ; greatei number, absolutely and relatively, has recorded its protest against the contention that abolition is the only means of reform . so that the popular verdict has repudiated both the suggestion that the advocates of alternative measures can be ignored and the proposal that an alteration of the ballot paper would reveal the country's readiness for prohibition. Nor can it be doubled that the voting has a further significant implication. At successive polls, the prohibition cause has lost ground, most of all on the present occasion. In the face, of such a record. the continued reference of the question lo the country every three years cannot, be of any advantage to the people nor advance the cause of temperance. The cost, of a general election is about £BO,OOO, of which probably one fourth is expended on Ihe licensing poll, and after yesterday's emphatic verdict there remains no ground for the claim that the cost of this referendum must be faced ever.v three years. Prohibition advocates would be wise to abate their insistence on the three years' clause. Relieved of the tax upon their energies and resources which (he triennial campaign in volves. they would then be free to devote themselves whole-heartedly to temperance education and reform Perhaps Ihe strongest argument fot an extension of the interval between polls is that it would give to the licensed' trade the greater securih which is claimed, with manifest reason, as necessary to enable it to make substantial improvements in hotel accommodation. Closer attention would also be given by Parliament and people to the opportunities for reforms within the trade, in eluding such measures as a further curtailment of trading hours, already proved beneficial, by closing the. bars on the weekly half-holiday.