The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-07-21
ONTARIO TO VOTE
ON WINES AND BEER
Soldiers Who Served in War
to Have Chance to Say il
Liquor Shall Be Sold.
BONE DRY LAW DOUBTFUL
Drys and Vets Organize for
Fray in the Autumn, With
Lines Closely Drawn.
By a star correspondert OF TIE SLY

BY n Stag Correspondent o. THE son.
TORONTO. July 19.-Ontario is prepar-
ing for a campaign and referendum on
the liquor question. The date for the
vote has not been hxed, but both sides
are active. Since 1916 this province
has been under provincial prohibition.
the Ontario temperance act, a measure
enacted by the Legislative Assembly.
Provision was made in that law for TAX
ing a vote on the subject after the re-
turn OF the soldiers from the field of
war. They are mostly all home now,
and II is likely the vote will be taken
some time in September.
Four questions will be on the voters
pa per- as follows:
/. Are you in favor OF the repeal
of the Ontario temperance act?
3 Are you In favor OF the sale OF
light peer containing not more than
two and ffty-one one hundredths per
cent. alcohol weight measure through
Government agencies and amend
ments TO the Ontario temperance
act TO permit such sale?
g. Are you in favor OF the sale Of
light beer containing not more than
two and ffty-one one hundredths
per cent alcohol weight measure in
standard hotels in local municipal
tiles that by majority vote favor
such sale and amendments to the
Ontario temperance act to permit
such sale?
4. Are you in favor Of the sale of
spirituous and malt liquors through
Government agencies and amend
ments to the Ontario temperance
act TO permit such sale?
Must Answer All Question.
1t will be required OF every voter tina,
he or she shall answer. every one of tn,
four questions. Otherwise the ballo
will not count in the return. Cniversa
suffrage will be In operation. Ever,
man or woman of 81 years who is ,
subject or naturallzed can vote. Their,
Is possibility that a provincial cleo
tlon may be held soon. and that THU
| plebiscite on temperance will be taker
| or the same day. The drys do no
! want that; they want n day set apar
for the prohibition vote. There is SOM
apprehension among the drys. but will
| the women in the field they should b.
able to get majority.
Prior TO enactment OF the present 'ay
512 municipalities in the province out o
SOL were under local option. or the re
mainder eighty-nins had failed TO Civ
the required three-hfths majority. 81
James Whitney, former Premier. mad
that law. recognizing the ACCESSIBILITY o
having more than a bare majority benin,
measure Of reform that depends for IL
best results on public regard for the law
Local option voting In Ontario for tn,
last thirteen years has justified his pc
sition. The total vote for local optior
was 265,336 In the contests and 1851!
| against. With the exception of few
towns Of some size. most dry victorie!
we're in rural municipalities. Now tina
the war pressure is off and the desire Il
! be free is given expression openly. th'
outcome of the referendum is in doubt.
Referendum Does Not Enact a La
Whatever the outcome OF the vote ma
| be, the next result will be u give tn,
Legislature the direction for legislation
| Representative government sti | hold
good here, and there is no disposition
| whatever to give power TO the refer Il
| DUN 20 make law direct. Ontario ha
| some superficial theorists and takers II
the realm OF taxation and public finance
but the Legislature has not allowed then
to get very far yet.
| The Hearst Conservative Government
lie prepared to enact a law TO express TIL
will OF the majority, but IL is quit
within the bounds OF the possible tina
| The vote will produce problem in poll