The Local Option Poll.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXX, Issue 44, 30 October 1902, Page 18

The Local Option Poll.

A good deal of misconception seems to exist, even among those who are vitally interested in the result, about the effect of voting in a given direction at the local option polls. In reality the question is a very simple one, and only seems complicated because absurdities may be perpetrated by the permission given by* the Act to vote on two out of the three issued submitted to the electors. These three issues are : (1) Continuance, (2) reduction, and (3) no license. The general impression seems to be that in some way the vote for reduction and that for no license are mixed up. Such is not the case. Every proposition stands or falls according to the voting for itself alone. This is best illustrated by a concrete example or two. A voter strikes out tho top line. Tho result of that is that he has given a vote for reduction and one for no license. When tho votes are counted and it is found that a majority of those who have voted cast their votes in favor of reduction, that issue is carried. But if three-fifth of them have voted for no license, then prohibition ensues. There is no compulsion, however, on an elector to vote fon two issues. Ho may vote for one only. If he strikes out the second and third line, he favors continuance, which also may be carried by a bare majority. If he favors reduction, not caring to side with the extremists on either side he will strike out the top and bottom lines, leaving the middle one untouched. Some voters commit the absurdity of striking out the middle line, thus voting for continuance and no license at the same time, and. nullifying their own action. A still greater number, in their objection to prohibition, b'trike out the bottom, line, thus voting for continuance and reduction. This is quite as reasonable as voting at the same time for reduction and no license. About tho manner of counting the votes there should not bo the slightest difficulty. It has only to be remembered that each issue stands or falls by itself, and that no addition or subtraction of votes is contemplated by the Act.