LYING WITNESSES.

Gisborne Times, Volume VIII, Issue 699, 19 December 1902, Page 3

LYING WITNESSES.

ANOTHER STRONG SPEECH BY MR HAWKINS. [By Telegraph—Press Association.] Westport, last night. Sevoral charges of supplying prohibited persons with liquor were boforo tho Magistrate’s Court yostorday. In tho eourso of his remarks, Mr Hawkins, S.M., said it was lamentable that there was such lying in these cases. If lie believed all ho heard in sly grog eases, ho would nover convict. Ho did not wonder at all at decent people saying a stop must bo put to the ovils of Die liquor traflie. They could depond upon it, the prohibition feeling that had made such strides on the olhor side of the island would spread here. IVnplo would not allow public sentiment to be insulted. There would havo to ho an improvement in tho conduct of tho liquor trade, or public opinion would mako itself felt. The whole thing was lamentable and degrading. He did not boiiovo in prohibition, but had nothing to say against parents who wore taking steps to protect their childron. In refusing to sign a certificate for a publican's licenso granted at Millerton by tho Licensing Committee, Mr Huwkins said tho figures at the local-option olection proved the people did not want anothor license. Ho maintained that Rio license was totally unnecessary and most unreasonable. Tho Committee had no right to grant the application. If the Com inittoo insulted people tlioy must put up with the consequences. If things were conducted in such a way that tho public conscience was affronted, prohitijion would extend. People were not going to bo inado slavos of. Prohibition would go on or there would ho drastic reform in tho legislation, and ho was heartily glad of it. The misery and wretchedness in homes through excessive drinking was a deplorable thing. Tho porsous interested could apply for a mandamus to compol him to sign tho certificate.