The Star. THURSDAY, JULY 9, 1903. THE PEOPLE'S WILL.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 7702, 9 July 1903, Page 2

The Star. THURSDAY, JULY 9, 1903. THE PEOPLE'S WILL.

We have rio intension at the present moment of making anything approaching a categorical examination of the list of points submitted! to the Premie* yesterday by the No-license Convention. The list included most of the questions which are exercising the minds of all students of the licensing problem, and even a brief survey of each would exhaust the limits of one article, without thoroughly sifting each individual subject. But it contained one point which, not 'being controversial, may be discussed in the space at our disposal. The desirableness of amending the law, so that in future no licensing poll should ibe declared void on ai technical irregularity not the fault of the people themselves, cannot, we think, be disputed. This is not a mere question affecting any particular issue. It is th© principle on which all popular elections should be based. An election which is designed, to give effect to the will of the people should be rendered impervious to attack on any grounds butftliat of the people's errors. A blunder on the part of an elector may conceivably supply a just reason for nullifying a vote,- but even this circumstance must be -exceptional. Moreover, if any exceptional circumstance should justify the disregarding of .the people's voice, none that we can think of should 1 be allowed to permanently slight it: The earliest steps possible should always be taken to give it expression, by affording the electors an opportunity of recasting their votes. The fairness of this arrangement will, of course appeal to the. great -mass of the public. Neither ca.n it be ignored by either the liquor trade or the prohibitionists. It should appeal to these extreme parties, for the reason that it cutg both ways. Under the *xistktg law it is passible for a •majority vote in favour of continuance to bo upset in exactly the same manner a a certain reduction and nolieense votes at the last election were voided. Clearly, therefore, it is to the advantage of both parties that the law should be so amended' as to prohibit all possibility of the people's wishiss being defeated But it is not to pLen,se factions thait the present law should be 'altered. Ifc was mainly, as we have said, in order, to bring fhe systean of licensing polls into harmony with the fundamental principle which is supposed to govern all popular elections. A desire to have the law amended in the direction indicated rather than any sympathy with the cause of .prolubitioji wa« no doubt responsible for the presence of many of the members of Parliament who attemdled yesterday's meeting. There were members present who have no more sympathy tihan ourselves with the .prohibition movement, and who, no doubt, resemtedl julst as we do the misappropriation! of the term temperance, by certain members oif the deputation. But they readily admitted the justice of the deputation's request that in future defects in tie law should be prevented from defeating the will of the electors. So did the Premier, and to, too*, will all. reasonable people. .