THE LICENSING COMMITTEE ELECTION.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 12618, 23 March 1903, Page 6

THE LICENSING COMMITTEE ELECTION.

TO THE EDITOR.

Sib,— Might I have a short reply to the two misstatements in the loiter signed " Cui Bono," published ra Saturday's issue? The two are synonymous, The writer says, speak- ■ ing of the effect- of reduction in the city: "Twelve property-holders and licesnseee will ■have' thousand's of pounds taken from them. ... . Mid all i? handed over to his next iloor opponent in trade. . . . Who will assist in faking property from one person and handing U over to another?" Now, for pure, fabrication end unmitigated false assertion' the abbye is almost beyond equal. It is a- well-known, fact that of those who shall be refused vllcenses by the 'incoming committee, not. one will have a farthing's worth of property of his own taken from liinvaml given to liis neighbour. If anything' like tins were attempted the man would have a remedy in a court of justice, and from our experience of licensees they would ,npt fail to take advantage of it. There is no doubt , that many statements equally false and sensational as those of "Oui Bono".will, be circulated by the liquor trade-before "Wednesday next; but let the- c!eotor3>be on their guard, and test all such assertions by their own knowledge and common sense, and then they are not likely to be hoodwinked. One fact connected with the reduction of licenses in. 1894 ought to be rome.mbercd by. electors—namely, that nearly-20 licenses were then rofused, and yet Miefo was no increase of rates consequent upon '■the- loss of Kcemse fees. How much .less likely is this to be the case at the_.nresflnt, .when not more than 13 pan be refused? By reducing the liquor bars we shall have cleaner end safer streets; eye, ear, and noso will not be quite so often insulted. Men will get home easier with their hard-earned week's wages when there are less- liquor traps about. Bovs will get home '.in .a more • eober efcate if they are sent, on their way at 10 p.m.—l am, etc., March 20.. . Colonial