THE LIQUOR POLL.-DANGER!

Sun (Christchurch), Volume VI, Issue 1588, 17 March 1919, Page 4

THE LIQUOR POLL.-DANGER!

To the Editor of THE SUN. Sir, —The Government seems bent on creating a record for imbecility and ineptitude, else it would never propose to bar the publication of the results of the polling in the various electorates until the final figures for the Dominion were available. What good purpose can be served by withholding information which would allow the public to learn how the voting was going? The public are not all fools, and arc well aware' that some time must elapse before the final figures arc ascertainable, and they will wait patiently for them; but if there is even a spark of spirit in their composition they will raise a storm of indignant protest against the action of these legislators who, for reasons known only to themselves, would seek to deny the electors the right to follow closely the course of an election dwarfing in importance all previous New Zealand contests. The proposal reeks of studied impertinence aud autocratic red combined with a callous disregard for the right of the public to learn the results as they are declared. Candidly, the suggestion is so outrageously silly as to raise doubts as to the accuracy of the telegraphed message; but as it bears the imprimatur of the Press Association it cannot be lightly passed over. What do our local M.P’s mean to do? Are they content to take this insult lying down ? If so, they fail utterly to gauge the temper of their constituents, who are in no mood to stand any more of that infernal, asinine fooling' which has become the most conspicuous characteristic of the present Government. These be strong words, sir; but it is only the limitations of journalistic decency which prevent me using phraseology very much more vitriolic and sarcastic.

Suffer two questions. At whose instigation was the opinion of the Solici-tor-General called for, anti what considerations or arguments induced him to veto a custom sanctioned by long usage? Why treat the liquor poll differently from any other election? One or other of our M.P’s may be game to ask for plain answers to these plain questions. It is their duty to do so. We want the progress results of the pollings on April 10 made public in the manner and with the promptitude to which wo have been accustomed hitherto; and we are going to have them. There is a something in the nature of this proposal which smells “fishy” and unwholesome. Can’t you sniff it, sir? The Sun has already forced stubborn autocracy to “climb down” under pressure of public opinion, but, surely never were its good offices more necessary than in this instance. See to it, sir, that you maintain your record as “a bonnie fechter.” You’ll get backing, quick and lively.—l am, etc., THISTLE. March 15, 1910.