THE LICENSING POLL

Otago Witness, Issue 4041, 25 August 1931, Page 45

THE LICENSING POLL

SUGGESTED POSTPONEMENT STATEMENT BY PRIME MINISTER LEGISLATION TO BE SUBMITTED. WELLINGTON, August 18. In a statement in the House of Representatives to-day the Prime Minister (Mr G. W. Forbes) said that within the last few days the Government had received an official communication from the New Zealand Alliance, forwarding a resolution adopted by its Standing Committee, that if the Government, considering it was in the best interests of the country, proposed to postpone the licensing poll, no opposition would be offered to the proposals as regards the poll due this year, provided the principle of a triennial poll was left untouched. An official intimation had also been received to the effect that the National Council of the Licensed Trade would also accept the postponement of this year’s licensing poll in these circumstances. The Government, after mature consideration, had decided to submit legislation during the present session of Parliament to provide for the postponement of the licensing poll, which, in the ordinary course, would have taken place concurrently with the general election this year.

Mr Forbes added: “ In arriving at this decision I may say the Government has been impressed with the economy that will be effected as the result of avoiding not only the expense to the country in postponing the poll, but also the very costly campaign which is always attendant upon a licensing election. I feel strongly, and my colleagues also share this feeling, that many serious national problems which face the country at the piesent time demand the most earnest attention of all parties in the community, and it is only by a united effort on the part of our people that we can hope to expedite the recovery of the Dominion to a condition of normal prosperity. There is no gainsaying the fact that the licensing issues do tend to cloud what may be regarded as wider political questions, and we feel it essential that a spirit of amity should pervade our citizens at this admittedly difficult period in the Dominion’s affairs. It is for this reason that the Government welcomes the action taken by the two parties chiefly concerned in the licensing question, and we feel that the proposal will be endorsed, by the majority of the electors of the Dominion. The fact that a truce has been practically arranged in connection with the licensing issue is, to my mind, a clear indication that the men who are in responsible positions realise that nothing should be allowed to stand in the way of the utmost co-operation and goodwill on the part of all sections of our citizens at the present time. I need hardly add that the decision to postpone this year’s licensing election will not in any way interfere with the principle of a triennial poll.”

POSITION IN INVERCARGILL. INVERCARGILL, August 18. The secretary of the Invercargill Re-, storation Lague states that that body will leave no stone unturned to have the local option poll taken, irrespective of whatever action is taken on the major issue. The league claims that 9000 electors out of a possible 13,000 favoured restoration at the last poll. It failed to secure a three-fifths majority by fewer than 500 votes, and claims that since then a large swing-over has taken place. A MASTERTON PROTEST. A strongly-worded telegram has beeq despatched to the Prime Minister (Mr G. W. Forbes) by Mr W. Simpson, the Mayor of Eketahuna, protesting against the suggested postponement of the licensing poll this year. Mr Simpson has also indicated that he is prepared to take a deputation to Wellington if necessary. Pongaroa is also moving in the matter. Both these districts are in the dry Masterton electorate. At Eketahuna last election 1220 votes were polled in favour of restoration, and GOO against; at Pongaroa the voting was—for 418, and against 155. Over the whole electorate, however, voting was—for 4047, and against 4523, so that the issue was carried in favour of no-license by a majority cf 476. Those in the towh of Masterton lu favour of restoration are not organised, so it is unlikely that any concerted action will be taken in the matter by them. It is stated, however, that 80 per cent, of the businesses in the town are in favour of restoration, .and it is considered that if a poll is taken this year there is a distinct possibility that the 300 odd votes required to carry the issue will be cast in favour of restoration.