The Election Ticket.

Fair Play, Volume I, Issue 5, 2 December 1893, Page 14

The Election Ticket.

[To the Editor of ‘ Fair Play’’.] Dear Sir, —The result of the late election proved the futility of some of the election tickets, and the only one that was voted for, with any consistency, was the temperance ticket. If the temperance party had not sought for too much, they might have carried all three of their men, but as under the Direct Veto, it was evident Prohibition was . meant, the moderates of the party, and the sympathisers outside, would not vote for Mr. Fraser, the special candidate in whose favour Prohibition seemed incarnate. There is no doubt that the majority of the people are at all times entitled to rule. A majority will turn out a Government and elect our legislators, and, therefore, why should not a majority say whether or not hotels should be allowed to exist? In all the constitutions, however, that speak the English language, it is recognized that while the minority must bend to the majority, still- they have rights, which it would not be fairplay not to recognise. When slavery was abolished in the West Indies, the slave trade long before had been held an illegal traffic, yet the planters were recognised to have rights, and so the British nation subscribed a large sum in compensation for the planter’s loss. Though a publican’s license is only issued by the year, and he knows that at any time, if it can be shown that he himself is unfit for the position, or his house is not required, his license may be cancelled, still there is an implied understanding, that so long as there is no complaint against his hotel, it will hot be interfered with. Otherwise, if that were not the case, would such large sums be invested in the building of large commodious houses, on plans approved of by the Licensing Benches. The publican knows that to a certain extent he'takes a risk, and, therefore, when in an individual case a license is taken away, he considers it only the fortune of war. When, however, through a sudden change-of opinion in the majority of. the people, the whole trade is swept away, the minority who may be ruined, have then a good cause of complaint if their wrongs are not compensated. "If the' State is suddenly to say “Your business must cease, your hotels, which we have allowed and even directed you to build by the Licensing Benches must be closed" then in fairness,’

the State must make a reasonable compensation. It may be asked where is the money to come from ? That is the business of the State. The State can find the money if it is determined and believes its decision to be a just one. Therefore, never in New Zealand I think will Prohibition pure and simple, and as apparently desired, by the Temperance Party be carried. The opinion of the public is the liquor trade should be considered a fair and legal one and only kept under perance Party at the last election failed perance Party at the last election "failed in carrying their ticket intact. —Tam, &c., C. W. Tanner.