The Gisborne Times. PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. MONDAY, AUGUST 14, 1911.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 3295, 14 August 1911, Page 4

The Gisborne Times. PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. MONDAY, AUGUST 14, 1911.

From a reliable source we learn that the licensing poll which was to have been held next month to determine whether liquor ought to be Supplied to Natives residing in the Takitimu district has been postponed. So far as can be ascertained, the reason why lit has been decided to defer the poll has not been disclosed. The probability, it would seem, is that the poll is now intended to be held in connection, with the Parliamentary elections. In this connection it is hard to understand why the authorities should allow any such poll to take place until the lav on the subject is put on a much more satisfactory footing. As the law stands to-day, any poll of this nature would, it appears to us, simply represent so much time and money wasted. Take, for instance the provision which related to the method of deciding whether the proposal is to be declared adopted or defeated. “If,” says sub-section. sof section 46 of the Licensing Amendment Act, 1910, “the result of the poll is that ‘a majority of the electors’ are in favor of the proposal that liquor shall not he supplied to Natives in the district, then on the expiry of one month after the declaration of the result of the poll every person (whether a licensed person or not) who in, any such district (whether onj licensed premises or not) supplies liquor to any Native shall be liable on a summary conviction to a fine not exceeding one hundred pounds.” What one might be excused for inquiring, surely, is how in the first place, the number of “electors” is to he estimated? If the word “electors” were intended to mean voters,” the law should have made the position clear. All that section 46 of the Act has to say on the point is that the poll shall be confined to “Maoris residing in such district who are qualified to vote as electors at any election of a member of Parliament under Part IV. of the Legislature Act, 190 S (which relates to Maori representation).” How, then, is the returning officer to estimate the number of “electors”—which it is essential he should know before he can settle the question as to the will of the majority—when there is no roll of those eligible to take part in the election? This is not the only defect in this part of the licensing legislation of last session But more anon.

Postponed!

Under the White Australia policy there lias occurred what to many mill appear a case of considerable hardship. This is the case of a reputable Chinese resident of Geelong named Hop Poon Gooey. Last year, it seems, after having resided in Australia for 18 years. Gooey paid a visit to China. Whilst there he mas married by a British registrar at Hongkong to a Chinese lady mhom he had known in his youth. Gooey received permission to bring bis wife to Australia for six months, and the period mas, subsequently, extended to nine months. As the extended period wnl shortly expire Gooey sent in an application for the term to be still further extended as is possible at the discretion of the authorities. But his appeal lias fallen upon deaf ears. Mrs. Gooey lias been warned that she must leave the Commonwealth by the 20th inst. What is the most pitiful part of the case is that Mrs. Gooey has just given birth to a child, and the three, it is stated, prove an affectionate family group. Mrs. Gooey is now compelled to leave her husband and child and return to China. Despite the fact that Gooey did enter into a bargain with the authorities as to the length of time his wife should remain in the Commonwealth, there can be not the slightest doubt that the ease is one which merited more consideration from the authorities. Gooey, it is reported, Ims, during his residence in Australia, been a highly respected produce merchant. As shaming the esteem in which lie is held it may be mentioned that after some years’ residence at Stawell he was publicly thanked for the. part he took in local affairs. More than that, we are told the disaster to the family is regarded in Geelong as a needlessly miserable matter, and has been the subject of .a petition largely signed by wharf laborers, artisans, tradesmen, merchants, and others. If exceptions are not to be made in such cases as these it would really seem as if it would be better if the law in Australia refused applications by Chinese to go to China and marry. But the law has proved inexorable. “If,” said the official reply, “an exception were made in Gooey's case the door would be opened and it would be difficult to close it.” Where Chinese have assimilated themselves to colonial ideals surely the law might be stretched somewhat? As far as New Zealand is concerned the law in this respect is much more favorable to Chinese residents. r

A White Australia Victim.