A VITAL QUESTION

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 8, Issue 63, 10 April 1945, Page 4

A VITAL QUESTION

Sir,—A long-standing complaint of thinking residents of Matata is the apparent flouting of the liquor laws. This complaint has found expression in the. past by various complaints to the police, but the conditions are little better. At one time we understood a constable was to be stationed here; instead certain Maoris were given special powers to enforce a local curfew and tryto stop beer parties. This died the natural death that was to be expected. The attitude of local residents was well expressed in the last when two-thirds of the voters voted against continuance in its present form. This no doubt reflects their attitude to local conditions. (State Control 50 ■ Prohibition 19 ? Continuance 51). Now that a Royal Commission is. operating it is surely time to bring up the subjiect again. As to present conditions ask those who are familiar with local doings. This week a function timed to commence at 8 p.m. was unable to proceed until the crowd (Maoris, and" Europeans men, women and younger ones) were sufficiently "primed up" with beer to come to the hall between 9.30 and 10 p.m. Remember, there is only one source of supply of beer here— that, legally licensed.

The question I wish to ask is this. Is it too much to ask for a constable to be located wherever a license exists; or no license allowed where there is no constable? This is asked for the protection of the younger generation of both races } and with special thought for the degeneration of our Maori race that the present conditions make inevitable. Yours etc.. 'observer.