The White Ribbon: FOR GOD AND HOME AND HUMANITY Monday, March 16, 1903. Flouting the Will of the People.

White Ribbon, Volume 8, Issue 94, 1 March 1903, Page 6

The White Ribbon: FOR GOD AND HOME AND HUMANITY Monday, March 16, 1903. Flouting the Will of the People.

The petition of the friends of The Trade to have the Newtown Licensing Election declared null and void has been granted, much to the indignation of the “ No License ” party, and the glee of the Liquor Sellers. Dr. Macarthur, S.M., in upholding the petition, after going into the various points, said, “ I am bound to declare the eiec lions void. I do so on two grounds firstly, that the total number of voters whose votes were recorded was misstated by reason of an omission to include the votes recorded, but which could not be counted because of noncompliance with section 28 of the Electoral Act, 1902 ; and, secondly, that irregularities occurred in taking the poll, which tended to defeat the fairness ot the election.” The decision came as a surprise, even to those in “ The Trade.” There considerable difference of opinion as to whether any licenses even now can b* issued and it is evident that there will still be a good deal of litigation before

the matter is finally settled. A largely attended indignation meeting was held at Newtown on the evening of March 4th, when resolutions were passed condemnatory of thi decision which declared the Newtown Poll null and void, and urging an alteration of the law.