MEETING.

Kaikoura Star, Volume XIV, Issue 733, 27 April 1894, Page 6

MEETING.

A meeting was held in the Masonic Hall last evening to consider objections to the inclusion of Kaikoura in the Ashley Licensing District, and to consider any other matters for the ‘ good and welfare ’of Kaikoura. There was an attendance of just about fifty electors.

Mr Sandford proposed that Mr Paap take the chair, but he declined. Mr Mclnnes proposed Mr J. A. Parsons, but, he, also, declined, saving that Mr Paap was an older man, and one who had taken a more active interest in the first object of the meeting than he (Mr Parsons) end a good many others. The Rev Mr McAra also declined to take the chair, Mr Paap being eventually prevailed upon to do so.

Mr Paap, upon ascending the platform, shortly stated the objects of the meeting. The promoters present would address them on the subjects. Mr J. H. Sandford said that, as convener of the meeting, he would shortly tell those present why it had been called. Several influental electors had spoken to him about the injustice to Kaikoura of its being overruled by and dictated to by people who had no interest in the place, as the people tn the southern portion of Ashley had not in Licensing matters. It would have been the same had Kaikoura remained part of Wairau. They, therefore, determined to call a meeting to protest against Kaikoura remaining a portion of the Ashley Licensing District, and to forward that protest to the Member for the District to obtain remedy during next Session, The people South did not care that (a snap of his fingers) whether Kaikoura had a public house or not, and it was very necessary that the Kaikoura people should have a Licensing District of their own. After threshing that matter out they could consider others of interest to the district.

The Chairman pointed out that they should have a motion before the meeting. Mr Sandford then moved : ‘That this meeting protests against that part of Clause 3 of tbe A. L. S. C. Act, of 1893, which provides for Electoral Districts forming Licensing Districts, as an injustice to Kaikoura.’ Tbe Chairman said that its meaning was apparent to all, but the motion might have been more happily worded. It was better to take a little time before a meeting opened to consider these matters. Mrs Morris asked that the proposition be read again. (Motion re-read). Mrs Morris asked for what reasons it was against the interests of Kaikoura to be included in the Ashley Licensing District. Mr Sandford said he had already explained : the South could outvote and override Kaikoura. The law gave Local Option ; Kaikoura voted iu favour of Reduction, the South, not taking such a lively interest, did not go the poll, and so rendered the poll void. While one part of the A. L. S. C. Act gave Local Option another clause took it away if half tbe people did not go to the poll. This was unfair to those who did. Communities not in unison should not be joined together. Mr R. Brown suggested striking out of the Act, altogether, that part requiring half tbe electors to go to the ballot box to constitute a poll.

Mr J. A. Parsons said he did not profess to know as much about the Licensing Act as others, but be prided himself on being- a Liberal, and carrying on Government in a progressive manner. Hence his reason for attending to assist in tbe protest. The history of the Empire was a story of the struggle for freedom. Progression had generally been followed by reaction. So in this case. Tbe Licensing Act contained reactionary legislation. Tbe wishes of the majority should rule without the true interests of the minority being trampled upon. The wishes of some 300 Kaikoura people had been rendered of no avail

in consequence of the Southern electors uot voting. If Kaikoura wanted more hotels it should be able to have them if they could be obtained ; and vice versa. They should not he ruled by the South any more than by Canada or England ; this applied to local questions (some of which he instanced) generally. The Chairman concurred in Mr Parsons’ views, broadly, and hoped that others would now be encouraged to speak. No one else offering to do so, Mr Paap said that either the talking power of the meeting was limited, or they bad threshed (he matter out before assembling.

The motion was then put and carried by (about) 48 to 2. Co the motion of Mr Mclnnes, seconded by Mr Stubbersfield, it was agreed that a copy of the resolution be sent to Mr Meredith to see if effect can be given to it, so that Kaikoura be made a separate Licensing District. Mr Sandford expressed surprise, seeing the strength of the local vote at the recent election, at so little being said. He could not understand tbe silence of the members of the Temperance Party present. Perhaps they were overawed by the presence of a few of the Liquor party. The Rev Mr McAra said Mr Sandford ought not to be disappointed at the silence. It was a sign that most of those present had made up their minds on the matter, and were agreed that injury had been done to tbe people of Kaikoura by the clause read, and by including this district with the rest of Ashley. The question at issue was a social and not a political one, and it was unfair of Kaikoura to dictate to others, or be dictated to by others on a local question. It was unjust that Amberley, or any other place, should overrule Kaikoura’s wishes. Requiring half of those on the roll to vote was also unjust. The names of dead men might be there, or people not in tbe district. The people of Kaikoura took a great, an intelligent, and an enlightened interest in- the matter, and went to the poll, yet their voice was silenced through the apathv of others. People should have what the majority wanted : Increase ; Decrease; or No License. This should apply to every district.

iMr Maxton contended that the rolls had been purged, and gave his reasons for asserting' that they had. The Licensing Act was an honest attempt to remedy the law. That it failed to do so was evident, but with some amendments it would answer, and was not, after all, such a bad Act. He now viewed drink, as he always had done, as one of the greatest of curses.

Mr Sandford moved that Mr Meredith be urtred to induce the Government to complete the road betweon Bell’" Peg and the Greenburn. He referred to the nature of the road, and the scandalous negligence in leaving it unfinished. Mr Maxton briefly seconded the motion, and made some humorous remarks about that preceding it. Motion carried ; the Chairman remarking that though be did not travel much, he liked to see his neighbours have good roads. Mr J. A. Parsons said a short time since at a meeting held here the opening up of road communication with Cheviot, vifi the coast, was urged and resolutions carried. Some good bad been done. Government had asked the Land Board for plans and detailed information. Chamber of Commerce had urged matters, and Members had been interested. It would be a good thing to get the work started this Winter, and he urged that the Member for Ashley be again written to. He moved accordingly.

Mr Maxton seconded the motion, which was carried, and it was agreed Mr Parsons write Mr Meredith. The Chairman said Kaikoura was the best shipping place on the coast. If it became the outlet for Cheviot produce he hoped the local potato market would not be flooded !

Mr Sandford again spoke on Licensing matters, urging that on the Option

or Prohibition questions a majority of one should govern a decision, as in elections and Parliamentary votes. Licensing was as important as any of these. Tricky means were adopted by those opposed to the will of the people. Working men candidates had been opposed by wealthy men well known and yet the former were only just beaten. He was well satisfied with the success of their parly, who, it was predicted, would have no show, and yet one of the liquor party was at the bottom of the poll. Not one Moderate was nominated by Kaikoura. He moved, and it was carried, that Mr Mereditn be asked to have the latter part of clause 19 struck out. Mr Maxton did not think there was any chance of getting any effective alteration for three years—he would bet they didn’t—but they would possibly get road matters attended to. The Chairman said the business of the meeting was getting • mixed.* Mr Maxton had a quiet rub about getting factory butter from Cheviot before Kaikoura people had a factory, unless those here sank minor differences.

Mr Stubbersfield seconded Mr Sandford’s motion—re clause 19—which was carried.

Mr Parsons spoke of the interest Mr Buick bad displayed iu Kaikoura’s interests, and his efforts to further its welfare, and that, also, of Marlborough. He moved : That this meeting desires to thank Mr Buick for tbe steps he has taken through the Awatere Road Board to get the worst part of the road South of the Ure river done, and respectfully urges upon him, now Government have purchased a valuable property at the Blind river, the desirability of taking the necessary steps to have the Awatere bridged on the main road. Mr Renner seconded the motion, which was carried unanimously. A vote of thanks to Mr Paap for the able manner in which he had filled the chair—to the intense satisfaction of those present, said the mover, Mr Sandford—was carried, and the meeting then closed.