Meeting of Licensed Victuallers.

Feilding Star, Volume XV, Issue 282, 7 April 1894, Page 2

Meeting of Licensed Victuallers.

A meeting of Licensed Victuallers from all parts of Rangitikci was held at Marton on Thursday for the purpose of forming an Association. Mr Bastings, of Feilding, was in the chair, and pointed out that the Licensed Victuallers as a concrete body had a tremendous power, and should exercise that power like fair and honest men, not emulating the sycophancy and- hypocrisy of their opponents, who, under the guise of their 'isms and fads, publicly try to rob Licensed Victuallers of their livings and their families of their bread, whilst privately taking cheques in support of their own schemes. He would illustrate that —a man in Feilding, who was taking his (the chairman's) money to the amount of I'ls monthly, said at a public meeting that "He hoped to God that death would come to public-houses in six months." He advised them to act together, and put into effect the law of self-preservation. He moved, That in the opinion of those present interested in the hotel business, it is deemed desirable to form an association to bo called the Rangifcikei Licensed Victuallers' Association, its object being to protect the interests of the trade. Mr Lowes, of Birmingham, seconded. Mr Light, of Feilding, heartily supported the scheme, aud said he would personally use every endeavour to make it successful. Other resolutions were put aud carried, and Mr H. Bastings (Feilding) was appointed President ; Mr S. Gibbous (Marton) vice-president and treasurer ; Mr Sandilands, solicitor ; and Mr Jas. G. Stevens (Martou) secretary ; bankers, Bank of New Zealand. It was afterwards^ decided to have a dinner early in Juue next to celebrate the forming of tho Association and the victory at the licensing election. — Mercury.