The Wanganui Herald. (Published Daily.) WEDNESDAY, APRIL 9, 1919. PROHIBITION OR CONTINUANCE.

Wanganui Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 15788, 9 April 1919, Page 4

The Wanganui Herald. (Published Daily.) WEDNESDAY, APRIL 9, 1919. PROHIBITION OR CONTINUANCE.

To-moeeow —Thursday, April 10 —will be an important day in New Zealand’s social history, for the electors will be called upon to decide on the great question which has been occupying the public attention for months—National Prohibition or Continuance, The issue is somewhat different from that decided at previous polls, for this is a special election, a referendum granted by Parliament last year. It differs from past licensing elections in two great features, the most important of which is that this is the first occasion the issue will be decided upon the bare majority. Formerly a three-fifths majority was required, hut a compromise was effected between the leaders of both parties, %Vade. interests conceding the bare majority conditionally on the Prohibitionists agreeing to compensation. In the event of Prohibition being carried compensation not to exceed .£4,500,000 will be paid. If the aggregate amount of the sums awarded in compensation exceed this figure, then “each of the sums so awarded shall be reduced proportionately so that the aggregate amount of the sums actually paid by way of compensation shall not exceed the said limit of £4,500,000.” Only 60 nor cent, of the sums allowed shall he paid until all the total aggregate awarded in respect of all claims shall have been ascertained.

IN THE EVENT OF PROHIBITION

If Prohibition is carried it will come into operation on 30th June of this year, and it will then he unlawful for any person: (a) To have in his possession for the purpose of sale, or (1>) to import into New Zealand, or (c) to manufacture or sell intoxicating liquor of any description. Any person who commits or attempts to commit a breach of this section is liable to a fine of £IOO for a first offence, and to imprisonment for three months for any subsequent offence. Where the defendant is a body corporate the penalty shall be a fine not exceeding .£2OO in the case of a first offence, and a fine not exceeding £IOOO for a second or any subsequent offence. Exemption is provided for medical, industrial, scientific, and sacramental purposes. If Prohibition is carried no further licensing polls will be taken at any time. Compensation will be paid to brewers, hotelkeepers, malsters, hop growers, and wine makers, clubs, and employees. No compensation will be paid for stocks of liquor, but they may be exported, and a refund of duties claimed up to 31st December, 1919. Compensation Courts will decide the amount of compensation. They will consist of a Stipendiary Magistrate and two assessors appointed by the Government, and their decisions will be final. In the case of employees a Magistrate only will determine the claim, and he may grant up to half the annual salary received as at Ist October, 1918.