KING COUNTRY LIQUOR.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVII, Issue 5005, 26 July 1926, Page 4

KING COUNTRY LIQUOR.

RIVAL PETITIONS. CONFERENCE AT TE KUITI. Combined European and Macri petitions are in circulation amongst both rapes, in Te Kuiti asking for the establishing of licenses for the of liquor in the King Country. Similar petitions have been presented in Parliame.nt from time to time: without success. The present petitions adopt a new line of action, the chief request being that natives be allotted a vote on the question. Recejhtly a conference was held between representatives c/f the Maniapoto tribe, who a,r & leaders in the" Ratana Church, and representatives of the Methodist Church to consider thei position. The Rev. W. J. Elliott, chairman of the South Auckland district, spoke on the pledge of the Government to protect .the natives from strong drink. The Church stood by the honouring of all good pledges- It was some,what significant, said Mr Elliott, that the source of the request for a Mapri vote sprung from the European people. He would be pleased to hear the views of the Ratana Church on this, important matter. The Rev. Strand also spoke along similar lines.

Hurori Moerua, a son df the late Moerua Ngatanahira„ a Maniapoto chief, who is a deacon in the Ratana Church, welcomed the speakers. He was delighted to listen to the references made to the pledge between the Government and the “elders” of .their people. He would assure the Methodist Church that Ratana apd his followers were strongly opposed to the sale of liquor in the King Country.

Hotu Pakukowhata, a leading Maniapoto chief, one of the oldest remaining, expressed his desire that the promise made to his people should be strictly adhered to. Keen opposition was likely to arise in the near future to those petitions,.