Parliamentary electors are also electors under the Licensing Acts.
The licensing poll is taken at every General Election. The questions for the decision of the voters are—
1. Whether the number of licenses existing in the district shall continue?
2. Whether the number shall be reduced?
3. Whether any licenses whatever shall be granted?
The voter may vote for one or two of these proposals, but no more.
The method of determining the result of the poll in each district is as follows:—
(1.) If the number of votes recorded in favour of the continuance of existing licenses is an absolute majority of all the voters whose votes were recorded, the proposal is carried, and the licenses continue until the next poll.
(2.) If the number of votes recorded in favour of a reduction of licenses is an absolute majority of the voters whose votes were recorded, the proposal is carried; and the Licensing Committee then reduces publicans' licenses by not less than 5 per cent, or more than 25 per cent, of the total number.
(3.) If the number of votes recorded in favour of the proposal that no license shall be granted is not less than three-fifths of the voters whose votes were recorded, the proposal is carried; and no licenses can be granted.
(4.) If none of the proposals respecting licenses are carried by the prescribed majority, the licenses continue as they are until next poll.
The result of a poll taken in December 1896, in sixty-two licensing districts, was that nearly 1 40,000 votes were cast in favour of proposal (1), the continuance of existing
