DRINK AT TANGIS

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2841, 4 August 1916, Page 8

DRINK AT TANGIS

DIFFICULTIES OF THE POLICE.

The abuse of liquor by Maoris at tangis was the subject of a question auuressed. to the Hon. A. L. Ilerdman in the House by Mr. W.H. Field:

. r Mr. Field asked whether the Minister; that while many Native tangis and gatherings .are so well conducted and so free from excess of all kinds that they are to some extent desirable and beneficial, as affording opportunities for friends and relatives coming together and the interchange of views on matters of interest to the Native race, others assume tlie form of extended drinking orgies by reason of their, want of regulation and the supply and consumption, in flagrant breach of the law, of intoxicating liquor in large quantities, with the result among other evils that young children are neglected by drunken parents, and unhappily there are instances, fortunately very rare ones, of educated but disreputable Natives, who should be examples to their fellows, actively assisting in this degrada-. tion and impoverishment of their race! and whether the; Government will take prompt and effective measures to put a stop to these evil practices, and bring the offenders in all future such breaches of the law to justice. "The police," said Mr} Field, "are doing their best to combat the evil, but they are beset 'with many difficulties, nnd in many cases are too overworked to give the matter complete attention." '

The Hon. A. L. Herdman, (Minister in Charge of the Police Department) replied: The Police Department will continue to make every effort to stop the supplying of liquor illegally to Natives at tangis and other Maori gnt.!»»"®?3.. One of the principal difficulties in dealing with this matter is the fact that while it is. a breach of the law to supply Natives with, liquor for consumption elsewhere than on licensed premises, it is not an offence for Natives to be found in possession of liquor off licensed premises. To remedy this defect an amendment of the law is necessary, and the question of introducing legislation will reccive the careful consideration of the .Government.