THE FIGHT FOR THE AVON SEAT.

Colonist, Volume LI, Issue 12407, 24 November 1908, Page 2

THE FIGHT FOR THE AVON SEAT.

BARE MAJORITY VERSUS THREE-FIFTHS MAJORITY. (Special to "The Colonist:") Cbrisfcehureb, Nor. 23. The bitter tigiit for. tbe Avon seat .' between Messrs G.. \V. Russell (Indepeudent) and W. W. Tanner (Go--yernaieut) is creating a very keen, interest locally. The question of general 'politics has been lost sight of altogether, nnd the struggle rias resolved itselt into one between the bars majority and three-fifths major itj parties. Mr Russell writes: "Are tbe electors of Avon so weak and incapable that they need to be tutored, or -bullied, by the Rev. H. S. Gray or any outsider, us to how they should past their, votes on Tuesriay? I appeal to the electors to resent this impertinent and insulting effort to browbeat them into accepting a representative in whom they i emphatically declared on Tuesday last they had lost confidence. I now nsssert: (1) That I have made no compact with, and given no promise to, the liquor trade ; (2) that I will not des'iate f roirt the ploclges published in my addresses; (3) that I have refused both public and private efforts of the no license extremists 1 to secure from me a modification of my views on the three-fifths major- • ity question ; (&) that I will support 1 the abolition of barmaids." "The Press.' ' this; morning makes a strong appeal on Mr Russell's behalf. It saya editorially. "The active interferanco of the extreme no license ] party in the election puts a fresh complexion on the contest. They have taken upon themselves the energetic championship of Mr Tanner because he supports tbe bare majority, indicating the issue of no license, whereas Mr Russell upholds ' the present system of requiring a three-fifths majority to close tne licensed bouses in any district. Throughout this election, find indeed previous elections, we have endeavoured to keep tbe liquor question in what we consider its proper place, that is subordinate to the greater issues of general politics. We accept the challenge which the extreme prohibitionists have thrown down. We deny their right to interfore in an election which should be decided on broad political grounds, and a regard to the personality of the candidates. We would suggest that t'aa Avon electors of moderate views should on this occasion lay aside all personal feeling and vote for Mr Russell. There is little to oho3e between the candidates in the matter of general politics, but atter the action of; the No License League, the - return of Mr Tanner would be taken as proof that the electors of the district are in favour of the bare majority fecish. So far from this being their feeling, we .believe that the bultr , of them are fully content with . the rate of progress afforded by a Hystfim, which the No License Party themselves allege will in from six to nine years prevent any man in New Zealand from getting a glass of beer in a respectable and reputable manner. Nine or even twelve or fifteen yearss is little enough breathing space before we are plunged into such a remarkable reversal of British habits. and sentiment. "