Wairarapa Daily Times. [Established 1874.] FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 1896. THE LOCAL OPTION POLL.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XVI, Issue 5496, 27 November 1896, Page 2

Wairarapa Daily Times. [Established 1874.] FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 1896. THE LOCAL OPTION POLL.

Oh Friday next every voter will receive two ballot papers, a white and a green one. The white one will record his vote for the General Election, but the green one will bo used for thejocal option , poll distinctly and separately, The green local option papers will be put in a separate ballot box, and it is as well for electors to understand that tbe use of them has nothing at all to do with voting for a member of Parliament. . The green ballot paper will contain three proposals in different lines, as follows I vote that the number of licenses existing in tbe diatriot continue. I vote that the number of licenses existing in thyllstrict be reduced, I vote that no licenses be granted in tho : district.

The elector may strike out one or! two but not more than two, of these issues. If he fails to strike out one or erases more than two the paper becomes invalid and the vote is lost. Two separate ballot boxes will be provided in each polling place, and the local option paper must be deposited in the box appropiated to it. If, on counting the votes, it is found a majority of all those voting is in favour of the first proposal, viz,, the continuance of licenses, then existing licenses will remain as tbey are for the ensuing three years, or until another poll is taken, But it may here be noted that the continuance of existing licenses will not debar the licensing committee from annullinganylicensesatanyquarterly meeting where satisfactory evidence is given of misconduct of the licensee. If there is an absolute majority in favour of the second proposalreduction—then at the annual meeting in June the committee shall reduce the number of licensed houses as follows:—"A minimum of one where the total does not exceed ten; two where the total number does not exceed thirty; and three where tho total number exceeds thirty; the total reductions in any one licensing district not to exceed twonty-flve per cent, of the whole. Prohibitionists have a clear guide in this ballot paper. " Strike out the top line" is their motto 1 This means that they desire to see either the numberof existing licenses decreased or the whole of them abolished. No prohibitionist will make any mistake in filling up the green paper. The question of reducing the number of hotels in an electoral district is a minor one. It matters not much whether there are five or six public houses in a town like Masterton, our own experience has been that it is much more to the purpose whether they are ill or well conducted. In Wellington it is said more hotels are needed, but in that city, under the vory eyes of the Commissioner of Police, the Inspector of Police, the

Ministers of the Crown, and all sorts of potentates, hotel bars are kept open at unlawful hours, and Sunday drinking is practised without let or hindrance. In a place like Wellington there is absolutely no control and the question simply amounts to this, the prohibitionists will strike out the top line and the trade the second and third lines. With corrupt Government administratiou such as we have now, we ourselves should feel disposed to strike out the top line. With an honest administration we should let the top line stand. The Colony has to choose between regulation and prohibition. The present Government are against both regulation and prohibition bnt this position is untenable and people have a right to insist upon one or the other.