The Waikato Independent SATURDAY, DECEMBER 3, 1927. EDITORIAL NOTES.

Waikato Independent, Volume XXVII, Issue 2869, 3 December 1927, Page 4

The Waikato Independent SATURDAY, DECEMBER 3, 1927. EDITORIAL NOTES.

Licensing Polls.

In view of the intense interest aroused during the past few Tveeks in the Licensing Bill, a perusal of the figures showing the votes cast at the last three triennial licensing polls will refresh the memories of readers. They are as under:—

1919 1922 1925 Continuance 241,251 282,669 299,590 State Control 32,261 35,727 56,037 Prohibition 270,250 300,791 319,450 These figures show that the Continuance vote in 1922 was an increase, of .171 per cent on that of 1919, while the 1925! vote showed an increase on the previous poll of .059 per cent. The Prohibition vote of 1922 was an increase of .113 per cent on the total cast, at the previous poll, while that of 1925 showed an increase of .060 cent. These figures, however, can scarcely bo said to show the exact feeling of the people, owing to the * pres once of a third voting issue—that of .State Control—on the ballot papers. At the 1925 poll the vote for State Control, though still representing only .084 per cent of the valid votes cost, showed an increase on the previous poll of over 20,000—a much laTger relative increase than shown for either of the other two main issues. It is,

of course, impossible, to say just how those fifty-six thousand odd votes would have been cast, had the ballot papers contained only two issues, but it is generally believed that, the great majority of these would have gone for Continuance. What 55 pet cent. Actually Means. It is difficult to grasp exactly what. 55 per cent, majority actually means in practice without reference to the exact figures. At the last licensing poll, in .1925, there were 675,077 valid votes cast. A bare majority would be 337,539, but to secure a 55 per cent majority would require 371,292. Thus on the actual voting at the last poll the difference between a bare and 55 pet cent majority moans that tho Prohibitionists to win tho day would, have to poll 67,408 votes more than Continuance, for tho latter would only have to poll 45 per cent. .Even the amendment carried by the Legislative Council, reducing tho majority to secure Prohibition from 55 to 524 per cent, moans that those in favour of this issue would have to poll 33,750 votes**" more than Continuance to carry the issue. As next year’s poll will be considerably bigger than the last, it will mean a corresponding increase in the majorities quoted. Cambridge Competitions Society (Inc.) The annual meeting in connection with this society takes place on Monday night next. We have every reason to bo proud of our Competitions. These have, year by year, proved, exceedingly successful, due largely to the capable management of the officers, and the keen interest displayed by the public. With such a splendid past record, even greater success should be attained in the future. Wo appeal to the town and district residents to continue to show their enthusiasm in this excellent organisation, and one way in which they can do so is to attend the annual meeting, and assist by their presence, their interest and constructive criticism—and possibly by offering their services in some capacity among the officers. There is nothing to stimulate success and progress like a real live interest in any public organisation, hence we hope to see a good rousing meeting on Monday night.