The Hawke's Bay Times, Published every Monday and Thursday. "NULLIUS ADDICTUS JURARE IN VERBA MAGISTRI." MONDAY, 7th MAY, 1860.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume 7, Issue 374, 7 May 1866, Page 5

The Hawke's Bay Times, Published every Monday and Thursday. "NULLIUS ADDICTUS JURARE IN VERBA MAGISTRI." MONDAY, 7th MAY, 1860.

The recent enforcement of the law for the protection of the Native race from the temptations of drinking- against a Mohaka publican, has been the means of inducing several of our correspondents to refer to the matter in our columns, in order to expose the system of its constant violation that certainly does prevail to a most astonishing extent in the Town and Province. The authorities are quite aware of it, and indeed have been known to wink at, or actually authorise it. The police well know of it, but are either restrained from interfering by the higher powers, or fail in their duty. The whole public are aware of it, and while they pity the poor Native, despise a course of action which permits the systematic violation of a law in all cases, except in those few where, for some reason, it may be found desirable to enforce it. The Magistrates are aware of it, for drunken and riotous Maoris are often brought before them, yet we never bear of any expression of surprise, nor of any question asked as to where the means of intoxication were procured, or by whom supplied.

We do not Justify the delinquent in the case referred to by our correspondent, as no amount of wrong-doing on the part of others can justify any one for following in the same way; but we do see great reason to complain of the culpable laxity shown by the authorities in the matter. Certain it is, that the police would be constrained to do their duty if they were instructed to do so.

Another point mooted by our correspondent is the open sale of these liquors by Maoris. This fact is as patent as the other of the sale to them, and can be verified by any one who has travelled over those sparsely populated districts where he may bo compelled to seek for lodging in a Native pah, and indeed by all who have anything to call them in contact with the Maori. But here the case is somewhat different. These Native grog-sellers are perhaps friendly Natives, and any attempt to make such submit to the law might be attended with somewhat unpleasant consequences. It will not do to offend them lest they rebel, and so the law must go to the w r all until the war is over, and order is permanently restored. But there is, and can be, no such reason in the way of enforcing the law against European offenders, unless, indeed, we are to consider the will of a Maori who may wish to obtain the means of intoxication as superior to the law.