NO-LICENSE IN INVERCARGILL

Gisborne Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 3358, 26 October 1911, Page 5

NO-LICENSE IN INVERCARGILL

THE MAYOR’S OPINION.

CREYMOUTH INUNDATED.

IS HE DISINTERESTED?

V QUESTION FOR MRS LEE-COWIE

At tihe meeting held at the Sievwrigbt memorial on Saturday night, Mrs Lee-Cowie was very eloquent about the success of No-License in Invercargill, and fldurished a telegram she had received from Mr- Ott, the Mayor of Invercargill, to support her contentions. No doubt sonic of the audience were impressed by what the Mayor stated about the alleged “success” of NoLicense there, hut did Mrs. Lee-Cowic’s audience know that Mr. Ott is deeply interested in the Wallace town: hotel, which is just over the boundary line from the “dry” area of Invercargill? In fact, it is the onb- hotel adjacent to Invercargill, and before No-License was carried it did an ordinary quiet suburban bote] business, but since Invercargill went “dry” Wallacetown has been the busiest hotel in Southland, and had to be altered to cope, with the endless stream of thirsty pedestrians, cyclists, motorists, etc., from over the “dry” border. In view of the enormously increased valine which has been added to this property, one cam quite understand that Mr. Ott who is* greatly concerned in. the Wallacetown, hotel, should be enthusiastically in favor of No-License for Invercargill. No, doubt Mr. Plank, the popular tenant of the Wallacetown hotel, is equally sure that No-License is a good thing—lN INVERCARGILL. But. if the people's vote on, No-License is to be influenced by prominent people’s opinions, instead of by evidence and reason, the opinions offered should be purely disinterested and above suspicion. If Mrs. Lee-Oowie is prepared to accept Mr. Ott’s opinion of Invercargill will she accept the sworn declaration’ of Mr. J. Newtli, Mayor of Waihi, who declares that property has decreased ini value, and that there .has heap no moral or. material gain uin.ee No-License camo into force there. The Mayor of Wailii is not interested m the trade (which cannot be said of the Mayor of Invercargill)- Mr. Newtli. never has been, nor has he been considered a supporter of license, and lvis sworn statement can be uiihcsitatxni_,ly accepted as the honest verdict of an unbiassed judge.