EDITORIAL NOTES AND COMMENTS

Oamaru Mail, Volume XXXI, Issue 8959, 7 December 1905, Page 1

EDITORIAL NOTES AND COMMENTS

Thk carrying of no-license in the Oamaru li.-trict by such a .substantial majority was unexpected. Oamaru has long been re'narkable for the strength of its abolition sentiment. it, indeed, decreed death to licensing system many years ago, but ■in official irregularity and a leakage in. the i.:w robtx-1 it of the fruits of its victory •Hi that occasion. The poll of 1902 was i distinct and hopeful augury that 6nccess would probably be be attained in 1905. Now is O.im.iru's opportunity tn shew the world tis.it no-iiceuse can lie made efi'ec::ve in a New Zealand town, mid that it s it law-abiding community. 'J'he licensed houses will close from the end of next •lime ;;■ date when existing licenses will ex;.;re). thenceforward it will not be lawful io sell intoxicants, either wholesale or re:.iil. within the boundaries of the district, >r to send any to the district without pir-

.ieulars being given to the authorities conertrng i'i»- same. Tiie effect of the closiii oi tli- hotels oi this district will be .v.itriied with kteil interest eveiywhere. It '.viil not he wholiv unattended bv incon-

venience. There may be a slight temporary dislocation of tin- municipal revenues, nit tin" iiiwi.-ion of «i wasteful expenditure o puri'iies of utility will ultimately bring d>oat .ii: adjustment oi any deficient y in iiis direction mat will be universally 'eptabir. "I ii--ii tii.oc who are not willing :o ah-tain w:ll l.e put to the trouble of m|>ori!!!■_' their liquid requirements from ittiside the distri. t. which will necessitate > irticulani K ill:; lodged at the Magistrate's oiirt. Thegr<-.itcst inconvenience, will, how■V'T, be mi fieri d by hoielkeepers and others !ho •!r<- en.'.i;i'il in the traffic. Whilst v--o who ln'ieve drink to be ail evil will rejoice at ith exclusion from this district, [iiey will ic- l re.'ret if so desirable a '«:i--anumation s.mjiiM involve loss to any who

.hi ill atford it. 1 lilt the probability ni' ! ii.i.s stared thf hoteikopers ,1i lr.iters in the fare lor ninny years. I'. - ii'ita. if I in- experiment which tin- people ; :.i\r. by so 1.:rl: ** a majority. j Wni 111 :, rryriiur should produce tin- beneficial n sul's =.vsli* :i they anticipate. »i»;i wiil be i'uily justified : if it should. as thuse ite interested in t iie tr.iliic assort. pro\<. > I'.iiure. thin license can be restored. Ji >. Uowevi r, not ;it all likely that Oatnnru w:li Tcturr- to ii-ens-e after having become i< cesloinid to the blessings of abolition. tri>i it is. to Ite hoped tliat the collateral idv.i:iiages which will arise from it wili in•.:l;id» the dispfS l -! .-.-oil licensees in their letieikewe. One thing is certain-. If. liter no-uiense has cine into operation, my attempts should be made- to bring i: :r.'o tontcuij.l by breathes of the law »> hive 'on!ider,»e that tiie authorities wii! [» their uiintmt to compel respect for the •..;H "f ;h»- great majority. and they m.-v !• jeii.l iipi.n she Mail to second their e: tort.-. We ..hi |.r> >:ni~o tint ie> sly gro.: filers potion will be enviiii!.- if 11- !*;!;••• and t!h- Mail yet on to his track.