TAXIS AND BEER

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 5, Issue 33, 25 March 1942, Page 5

TAXIS AND BEER

STRONG COUNTY CRITICISM

ILLICIT TRAFFIC CONDEMNED

Strong direct criticism against the wholesale traffic in liquor which it was claimed was being run by taxis operating in the County was voiced at the meeting of the Whakatane County Council yesterday, when three Councillors spoke in sweeping condemnation of the manner in which beer was being supplied' to Maoris in Pas. It was deckled to recommend thai because complaints were being received that taxi cabs are being extensively used in this district in transporting liquor, principally to Maoris, that the Commissioner of Transport be requested to review all his Departments' Whakatane taxi cab licenses and herein it would be appreciated if a list of licensed taxi cabs in this district could be furnished this council. - Discussing the .subject, Cr W. A. MeCracken said that he had plenty of evidence to show that taxis, were making repeated trips to and trom hotels during Maori tangis and ether meetings. It was a. deplorable state of affairs and should be stopped. Cr H. G. McCreadv: "I said before that the position was bad and I feel that I can say now thatl it has even deteriorated. Quite apart from the moral results, the cost to the country in benzine must be tremendous. I'm quite sure benzine is net licensed for that sort of thing. We have been told that "everything

in the garden's lovely" but I for one Avill be prepared to stand by all I have said. At a time like this when we can spend ten million a year on 'swill' and appeal for Bonds for Bombers, I don't think we can be too keen. "Those who take liquor to the Maoris ought to be put in gaol, declared. Cr MeGougan. The council should go into it thoroughly for the Maoris' sake if for nobody else's. The practice was unfortunately growing worse, especially when the monthly cheques were paid out. It was a disgrace to see the position at Taneatua at times. "I would like to see those in authority follow up the Social Security money which is paid to Maoris)," said Cr McCready. I'd like to know how much of that goes over the hotel bars. That money is paid out for a special purpose, but an interview with any of the district Native Nurses •will! show what has been happening. All the work is undone by one thing—booze. The nurses who go to the scene of the damage dan tell the story and give us a good 1 idea of what is taking place. Instead of the Social Security money relieving the position there is still want and 1

misery." The chairman observed that by registering its protest the council would probably be required to take the matter much further. Everybody knew what was going on and there •would be no lack of evidence. Tipping, Owen Vincent, Kutarere Vil-is, Frederick James, Edgecumbe Wakclin, Leonard Sidney, W hakatane Wallace, Scott, Whakatanc Webb, Rowland Stewart, Whakatanc Webby, Harold George, Whakatanc Webster, Edward Charles, Whakatane Webster, Hugh Girvan, Whakatane Whalley, Henry Wilfred, Otakiri White, John Francis, Whakatane White, Horace Cecil Talbot, Waimana

Whitehead, .Tack Kenneth Halsey, Whakatane Wiggins, George Aubrey, Whakatane Williams, David Colin. Oliope Wilson, David John, Edgecumbe Wilson, Thomas, Ruatoki North Woller, Frederick Henry, Whakatane Woolliams, Basil Henry, Whakatane Yardlev, Sydney Dardenelles, Edgceumbe Young, John Edward, Whakatane EARLY TO CAMP EXAMINATION COMMENCES i IMMEDIATELY

Medical examination of the above men commences to-morrow, and will be continued over the successive Saturday, Tuesday and Thursday (April 2). It is ivnderstood that the authorities desire to have all fit men in camp within a week of the ballot's release.