A Prohibition Poll?

White Ribbon, Volume 26, Issue 4, 1 August 1954, Page 1

A Prohibition Poll?

By W. F. Stock

During the last two or three years in deputation w'ork, the emphasis has been on the personal challenge, but it is now my constant aim to direct attention to the challenge of the coming Poll, and the urgent need for an early approach to the planning for this, on a realistic and effective basis. Attainment When people say that Prohibition can never be attained, we remind them that we already have Prohibition written into our laws; that the public sale of alcoholic liquor is now prohibited for fifteen out of twenty-four hours of six days in the week and for twenty-four hours on Sundays. Not only so, but this law has been endorsed by a referendum of the people with a three to one majority. We know, of course, that this law is flagrantly broken, and indeed our concern should be to make the present law real and effective. No License Furthermore, it must also be pointed out that we still have ten No-License districts, in all of which, the vote at the last referendum showed an increase in the vote for No-License. Some of these districts record over 60% for No-License, and this is a lesson in itself. Positive Approach Further, to revert to the National vote, we say most earnestly, that we must surely seek to have a hopeful and effective approach to the 1954 Poll, and I have no doubt in my mind, that we will have this, if we encourage ourselves with two reflections. First— That the present vote demanding improvement (the Prohibition votes plus Government Control votes together) totals approximately

(Field Organis c New Zealand Alliance)

400,000 or 40% of the votes cast at the last referendum! Any new political party going to the Poll for the first time, if assured of such support, would surely be in very good heart. Secondly— While, humanly speaking, we cannot hope, to carry the reform proposal at this Poll, we can surely set ourselves a target of Vote increase, that will be, not only reasonably possible of achievement, but which will also be a worthwhile demonstration of the demand for improvement in liquor sale conditions. Such a vote increase as, say, 60,000 votes! We must get approximately 25.000 votes additional, to keep our present percentage of the votes, which is our share of the natural increase in the population; but who will say that another 20,000 or 30,000 additional votes is an impossible target, if we really work for it with courage and enthusiasm? Effect of Vote Increase It amounts to 800 new votes in each electorate, and such an increase would be a major victory. This would enable us to pursue our present policy of pressure for enforcement of the law, as it stands and the retention of the many reforms already W’on. it would also be an effective contribution to the demand for many further immediate reforms. The Poll must be faced in the utmost seriousness. An advance would be a victory, but a recession would be, not only a most serious set-back to the Temperance campaign, but would stimulate the flood of materialistic pressure on the Government for increased gambling facilities, organised Sunday Sport, lotteries and other anti-social practices.