The Pahiatua Herald. with which is incorporated THE PAHIATUA STAR. Published Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 1894.

Pahiatua Herald, Volume II, Issue 115, 23 February 1894, Page 2

The Pahiatua Herald. with which is incorporated THE PAHIATUA STAR. Published Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 1894.

Within a very few weeks the licensing elections will be upon us, and we would stiongly advise every elector, whatever his or her opinions may be, to exercise the electoral privilege on this occasion. Particularly we would advise all those holding moderate views not to neglect to record their votes on the questions submitted for decision. It goes without saying that the extremists on either side will do their utmost to carry their views, and it is therefore of paramount importance that the influence of the more moderate seotion should be exerted in tbe contest. The issues are plain and decided. The result will decide :—(1) Whether the present number of licences is to continue ; (2) Whether the nurai her is to be reduced ; (8) Whether any i licences are to be granted. The last issue is practically whether Prohibition is to become the order of the day ; and j | to carry this it is imperative that one | half the electors on the roll shall ! ; record their votes and that there shall j ! be a three-fifths majority in favor of j such measure. Should the majority decide in favor of a reduction of the number of licensed houses then the number shall be reduced by one-fourth, as the Commissioners shall decide. It is apparent that the duties of Licenj sing Commissioners will not be parl ticularly difficult. The question of I the number of licensed houses that | shall be allowed to exist is settled by I the vote of the electors, the Comwisf eioners constituting the executive body which gives efleet to the wish of the people, and upon whose shoulders, in the event of a reduction being desired, falls the task of deciding which houses shall be sacrificed to the will of the ! electors. And here exists an anomaly. \ There are twenty licensed houses in ; | the Masterton electorate and should : ‘ tbe result of the election require a | reduction five of these houses must be ‘ j closed. The Act, by a curious over- ' ! skdjt. renders it possible that, say, all ■ tip hotels in Pallium* m «\ lx- !»x<ii on !

as the viotims, or the Commissioners may oloso five of the hotels in Masterton. It is, of oourse, extremely improbable that any body of men would tako such a course, but that it should be rendered possible is a regrettably weak feature of the Bill. Another disadvantage i« that the districts are altogether too and thereby the :hief centre of population has a coniderable advantage over country disricts. Should then* be eight men lominatcd in Masterton, say, the pronbihty is that the public there will •>te for those th. y know, the result •f which must be that the outlying listricts will he entirely unrepresented >u the Committee. Those, however, re matters of detail which will pro >ably be remedied in due course. Our object at present is to impress on the •lectors the great importance of voting on the questions submitted for their lecision and of returning to the committee men of moderate views who will see that the Act i 9 properly administered, and that the interests of one town shall be not be conserved to the detriment of another.