THE LIQUOR TRAFFIC IN DUNEDIN.

Evening Star, Issue 3387, 29 December 1873, Page 3

THE LIQUOR TRAFFIC IN DUNEDIN.

To the Editor. SlK,—I shall be very glad if anyone can inform me as to what has been done in reference to the liquor licenses, since the failure of the licensing Justices to meet at the adjourned quarterly meeting. From a paragraph in Saturday’s ‘Star,* quoted from the Dunedin letter of the ‘ Bruce Herald,’ it appears that the applicants for new or for the transfer of old licenses have made some application to the Executive ; and if what I hear be true, ap parontly not without effect—as I am told one or two of the new houses are getting stocks in and are to commence selling at the new year. I am not very willing to believe the above rumors, notwithstanding that the Executive of this Province would take advantage of the passing of an Act which throws further restrictiiins around the traffic i» strong drink than those previously provided, and which was specially designed to give the people a say in the granting of licenses. I cannot believe that the Executive would take advantage of circumstances arising out of the passing of the new Act, to foist on thcpeople an extension of the liquor traffic without. affording them the small opportunity of opposing such action, which is provided for under the old Ordinances. Surely we are not so com pletely under the dominion of the traders in strong drink as that all law is to be set aside for their special benefit, and the lights and privileges of the people totally disregarded, that one or two grog-sellers may be afforded an opportunity of making themselves rich by encouraging a still further misexpenditure of the people’s money than that which already obtains. It is to ho hoped that if our authorities are so far forgetful of what is due to the rights and privileges of the people, th- people themselves have still sufficient independence of spirit, still sufficient regard for law, order, and goad government to resent, very emphatically, the infliction of an extended liquov traffic by an arbitrary exercise of Executive authority.—l am, kc,, Ratepayer. Dqt\odk, December 27.