NORSEWOOD LICENSING COMMITTEE.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3732, 2 July 1883, Page 3

NORSEWOOD LICENSING COMMITTEE.

[To the Editor of the Daily Telegraph.] Sir, —When the present Licensing Act was framed provision should have been made against allowing a majority of the Licensing Committee to be formed of Good Templars or any of the other one-sided fraternity who want to make us sober by Act of Parliament. It is impossible that sued men could arrive at an impartial decision regarding the wants of the travelling public. The late decision of the Norsewood Committee goes far to show that, instead of the convenience of the public being considered, a majority of the committee looked on the question from their own narrow point of view, and decided accordingly. And are the travelling public to lie at the mercy of such people? These people, well meaning no doubt, entertain some vague notions that by lessening the number of public-houses they confer a benefit on mankind in general, but such is not the case. For, while distilling and brewing are legal, there must be competition in public-house keeping as well as all other callings. Do away with two public-houses in Waipawa, and who will benefit thereby 't The remaining two. It is no wonder that publicans now say that Good Templars are their best friends". It has lately been my lot to travel nearly the length and breadth of both Islands, and never have I seen a more convenient house for tho accommodation of the public than the one which was lately refused a license at Makatoku; and, although a stranger to Mr and Mrs Stevens, I can say from experience that seldom in my travels have I met their equal for civility, cleanliness, and a good hot breakfast beforo daylight on a cold winter's morning.—l am, ifcc., An Occasional Traveller. Waipawa, Juno 30, 1883.