LICENSES IN THE KING COUNTRY.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 532, 12 June 1909, Page 6

LICENSES IN THE KING COUNTRY.

Sir, —It seems to me that the oondiicfc of I the Taumarunui Licensing Committee, as reported in your, issue of June 5, in taking, advantage of the Government's having purchased certain areas of Native lauds in the King Country to grant licenses therein is nothing short of a public scandal. 'Hie Natives, for whoso benefit the local sale of liquor was prohibited, have not ceased to live about those areas, and the need for their protection, which they petitioned for and were granted, remains absolutely unaltered. Wholesale licenses in isolated districts can, by methods frequently adopted, do almost as muoh public mischief as licenses held by publicans -who fail to rigidly keen the law. ; If the committee has not exceeded its powers, which I think is open to question, and about which the Government should,' through the Hon. Ngata or otherwise,- be immediately approached, •it is high time that Parliament made what-1 believe was its original intention quite clear and uncliallengablo by inserting in Clauso 1 of Section 145 of the Licensing Act, after the word "license," the words "of any- description," and thus put an end to this granting of wholesale licenses where publicans' licenses may not - bo lawfully granted. I regrot I cannot at this moment put' my hand on the proclamation respecting; tho prohibited area to quote its terms, but it will be easily accessible iit'Uio Government offices. The fact- that the Government has bought certain areas cannot in itself alter the proclamation of the Governor-iri-Counoil that within certain boundaries no liquor shall be sold.—l am, cto., EDWARD WALKER. Halcombe, June 7, 190fl.