HOTELS AND HOTELKEEPERS.—No. V

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume II, Issue 147, 31 January 1874, Page 3

HOTELS AND HOTELKEEPERS.—No. V

TO THE EBITOB. Sib, —During mj time on the gum diggings I have observed the evil effects of alcohol amongst the Maoris; and when in Victoria, years ago, I noticed that the aborigines of the settled districts thorn, were fast becoming exterminated through the same agency, I presume that the idea of wilfully placing the temptation before the Maoris, and encouraging them to destroy themselves in like manner, mustt be most repugnant to the feelings of right-minded people, Maori chiefs have long since made known the fact that they are wide awake to t he poisonous effects of alcohol, and it is just possible that that may be the origin of clause 6 of “ Tho Outlying Districts Sale of Spirits Act, 1870,” which empowers Native Assessors to put their veto upon the granting of liquor licenses in too close proximity to their pahs. Wheresoever; hotels are eo situated tho Maoris have become greatly demoralised, and have given way to the worst vices for the purpose of procuring money to spend in grog. Any person spending a few days at Maketu may witness my remarks verified, for there both old and young of both sexes indulge freely in grog, and the effects are plainly visible in a variety of ways. la localities where the paha are situated at a long distance from tho temptation tho Maoris are robust, well-conducted, and hospitable; but, on tho other hand, where grog is easy of access, they have become grasping, dishonest, and lewd. I have seen well-informed Maoris with tho greatest contempt depicted upon their features, and ridicule expressed by others, when they have beheld the gross vices and extravagancies of pakehas “ under tho influence.” On one occasion 1 saw a Maori suffer acutely when one of his own race was drunk and incapable. On another occasion I saw one shed tears over the degradation of his friend when taken in charge for intoxication. Of course, they long ago discovered that more money can bo made by dealing in grog than by hard work, and some of the badly disposed amongst them have followed the pakoha example and deal in grog in a sly way. A certain class of Europeans are good customers to them, and encourage tho illicit traffic. The generality of Maoris are unable lo distinguish between the pure and adulterated spirit- Therefore, hotelkeepers, storekeepers, and others supply them with the very worst and cheapest description, so that there is no need to inquire into the cause of the mortality in some districts, I presume that few people trouble themselves about the Licensing Acts, but tho contents of clause 23 of tho Licensing Act, 1871, and clause 11 of tho Amendment Act of the same year should bo made public, because some people will no doubt have good reason for knowing tbat tho prosperity of a district in some slight degree depends upon the class of persons who are holders of spirit licenses. Tho clauses in question are to the following effect:— “ No certificate or license shall bo granted in any town or highway district in which Iwo-thirds of tho adult population, male and female, shall, by memorial signed by them and addressed to tho Justices, request that no such certificate or license bo granted,” &c. ‘‘The genuineness of the signatures may be attested by any one person obtaining them,” &c. Perhaps tho perusal thereof may cause some people to think over the characters and antecedents of applicants for publicans’ licensee ! To conclude my rather blunt and unsophisticated remarks, I am of opinion that steps should bo taken for suppressing tho wholesale dealings in spirituous liquors between Europeans and Maoris, and that sly grog selling by tho latter should be taken notice of at once. Such matters may easily be dealt with at a small cost. —1 am, &c., Gtm Diodes-