The Bare Majority.

White Ribbon, Volume 12, Issue 140, 15 January 1907, Page 7

The Bare Majority.

Through tlio medium of flu* Mr. T. K. Taylor is endeavouring to rouse public opinion with regard to tin* dare Majority vote in Licensing matters It was in IBILJ that MrSeddon liandieapped Temperance reform by insistence on a three-fifths majority ; and the fact that, despite this heavy weight carried, No-License lia* mad** it* present progress s|x*aks volume* for the energy of the workers and tin* righteousness of the cause. At tin* Colonial No-License Convention, held in Auckland last dune, a re.-olution was adopted and commended to the serious consideration of the Temper ance party throughout New Zealand, affirming that, “consistently with democratic principles, a bare majority should have the power as it lias the right to

•arry any issue upon the ballot paper.’ Mr Taylor urges the discussion of tin question so that agitation may In* made prior to the next Parliamentary election. He then goes on to affirm the equity of the hare majority vote in matters concerning the people s welfare : “ Flic Liquor traffic has no claim to exemption.” Because of the three-fifths handicap the present results of Temperance effort are disappointing. A multitude of New Zealand-horn youths have acquired, hy reason of this minority rule, drinking habits ; and the security given to the Trade has had the effect of “converting the liquor traffic into the most powerful financial interest in the colony. Against the plea that if No-License is once gained, in spite of the handicap, it will be easier to keep than if it were carried bj a hart* majority, Mr Taylor argues that it hut puts a premium upon slackened effort and relaxed vigilance.—“ Kternal vigilance is the price of liberty. The three-fifths majority at present gives safety to one electorate —Ash burtonfmt at the cost of consigning thirtythree other electorates, which carried No-Lin •use by a hare majority, to the power of the Liquor traffic, hinally, Mr Taylor points out that when it suits the Trade t<> demand a bare majority vote it will speedily do so ; and no good reason can be urged against tin* change. The question i> an imjtortant one, and we hope the ITiions will give to it careful studv.