THE OPEN BAR.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2351, 18 November 1908, Page 4

THE OPEN BAR.

* Jf local workers for No-license received a rude snook oii the results of yesterday’s polling for the.Gisborne electorate, they r will be more than compensated to note the success of their fellow workers in other parts ■c'f the Dominion. Though it is impossible at this juncture to even approximately guess the total vote registered for No-license throughout the Dominion, it seems evident that an exceptionally heavy vote has been cast, in that direction. Coming to individual electorates l the fact that No-license has apparently been carried in from eight to ten electorates shows that “the trade” has received by far the .most serious reverse it has yet sustained. That such successes have been recorded in spite of the tremendous haulicap of a three-fifths majority and the splendid organisation of “the trade,” is very .significant. It is quite apparent that for good or ill the people of this Dominion have decided to give the Noiiecn.se system a thorough trial, and it is to bo sincerely hoped that, the expei'iment will prove of benefit to the young .nation which is tryiaig in this avay to solve one of the most perplexing problems of the day. So far. as this district is concerned an observation of the results ensuing from the adoption of No-license in so many and such diverse districts as will have abolished the open bar at the end of the June iaext should be of exceeding value . when the question again comes up for decision.