LIQUOR AND LAND.

Gisborne Times, Volume X, Issue 974, 21 August 1903, Page 2

LIQUOR AND LAND.

BARLEY AND HOP GROWERS AND PROHIBITION.

THE PREMIER STILL KEEPS AN EVEN BALANCE.

Per Press Association. Wellington, last night. A large deputation representing hop and barley growers of the provincial districts of Marlborough and Noiscn waited on the Premier this evening to place before him certain disadvantages that would, they considered, be cast upon them by prohibition. It was pointed out that of the average annual crop of a million bushels of barley over oue-third came from the two provinces. The crop in Marlborough last year was valued at £-15,000. Landed propecty to the value of three quarters of a million sterling was under cultivation in these provinces. At Motueka there were 800 aores in haps last year, and .£52,000 in hard cash was paid to growers, added to the return from hops grown in other parts. .£9OOO per annum came into the distriet for malt. If these industries were taken away great loss and hardship would be caused.

The Premier, iu his reply, admitted that if prohibition were carried the effect on barley and hop growers would be considerable. Ho went on to say that it was his duty to give effect to the will of the people. If it should|bo that the majority of the people favored prohibition, then effect would have to bo given to that wish. To bring in legislation with the view of assisting the deputation was a much easier thing to suggest than to do. Ho almost dreaded the name of a Liquor Bill, so great a fight would it cause. It was a matter more for the people than the Government. He believed that the great vote cast at the last poll for no-license was not wholly prohibitionist, but was made up of people who voted no-license for reasons not rare to seek. There was no doubt the vote was intended as an intimation to effect speedy reform, and that the people were dissatisfied with the regulation of the traffic under existing conditions. There was no doubt that the conduct of people connected with “ the trade” had not been what it should be. Ho could not say that the people were to be blamed for their vote. They had practically said, “ Well, we have tried regulation, and it is Dot effective. Yery well, we will meet the trouble in another way.” There should be a change in the law for certain breaches of the Act. Owners of hotels, licensees, and barman or barmaid, should all be made responsible. There would then bo far fewer breaches. However, it was for the people to decide the broad question. It was his earnest desire to ascertain the desires of the electors, and then to give effeot to those wishes.