THE LICENSING POLL.

Waipa Post, Volume XXIV, Issue 1689, 21 November 1925, Page 5

THE LICENSING POLL.

..gj r) —iMr Harte has written commenting on the Waikato electorate's vote on the licensing question. We sat together at the official count, and towards him I have no such antagonism as to the trade which at present employs him; so I trust this letter will not seem personal. It was unfortunate that, being an accountant, he did not examine your figures of the 1922 Waikato vote, as the official figures show a different position. He might have felt an advantage. But 1 write to ask why he assumes that all State purchase and control votes are against prohibition. I take it that those who vote for one issue vote against both of the other issues. Those who voted for continuance are against the State issue as well as .prohibition. Prohibitionists voted against .the other two issues; and so did the " statesmen." The recent figures for this electorate, as Mr Harte would use them, show 90J28 per cent against State control, 57.7 per cent against continuance, and 52 per cent Against prohibition; 9.72 per cent for State purchase and control, 42.3 per cent for continuance, and 48 per cent —the most—for prohibition.

In a triangular contest, however, it is quite unfalir to add two issues against the third, as Mr Harte does. Arguing on such methods, one would claim on the available figures that 53 per cent voted throughout New Zealand against Mr iCoates' party and only 47 per cent for it. I do not say so: Mr Harte would. Prohibition appears to have received - more votes than Reform; yet, while .Reform is said to have swept the Dominion on a 47 per cent vote, prohibition, with nearly 48 per cent, is supposed to have been de'feated.

If one out of every three who voted for State purchase ond control preferred prohibition to continuance—not an unreasonable supposition—prohibition would be favoured by over 50 per cent.

Does Mr Harte consider the present method should continue, or would he approve something fairer preferential voting, for instance? —I am, etc.. . H. WHITE.