THE KING COUNTRY CHRONICLE. FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 1907. KING COUNTRY LIBERTY.

King Country Chronicle, Volume II, Issue 54, 1 November 1907, Page 2

THE KING COUNTRY CHRONICLE. FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 1907. KING COUNTRY LIBERTY.

Among the most important questions which vitally affect the King Country, none is more deserving of deep and careful study than ithe liquor traffic and the law with regard to the same as affecting King Country residents. The letter, by " Zealandia," which ap* pears in ourcorrespondence column, is worthy of the careful perusal of all who have the interests of the district at heart, as it conveys a vivid idea of the manner in which the law may be construed by certain people under present conditions. In all British communities it is a recognised fundamental principle that the interpretation of any law shall be in the interests of liberty and equity. Happily for the race it is rarely that the said principle is abused by those who have to administer our laws. However, we are now confronted with a phase of the question which it is in the interests of all to protest against, as it is in direct contravention of all that is held sacred by civilised libertyloving people the world over. The social element fills an important role in every community, and its cultivation admittedly makes for the general happiness and well being. In the King Country, with its scattered population and other drawbacks to frequent social intercourse, there are exceptionally strong reasons why everything which makes for the bringing together of our people on a common ground, should be encouraged. It is deplorable in the extreme that any }aw should exist capable of being construed in such a manner as, to inflict, or threaten to infljet, estimable citizens with police interference when they meet for social intercourse. Without treating of the instance referred to by our correspondent in a personal manner, we would

emphasise the fact that the police are appointed to safeguard the law-re-specting portions of the community, and are paid by the said community to perform their work efficiently, and intelligently. Moreover, the efficient and intelligent members of the force receive the support and appreciation of all decent citizens. On the other hand, when an officer uninteHigently assumes that he has a right to inflict himself arbitrarily upon any social gathering of reputable citizens, it is not to be wondered at that such action is universally condemned. The difference between being police-pro-tected and police-ridden is widely marked, and the public are not slow to appreciate the intelligence and discrimination exercised by their officers in the performance of the manifold, and sometimes disagreeable duties, pertaining to the office. It may also be said that all self-respecting people are equally quick at resenting any effort to impose vexatious conditions, or curtail their liberties unnecessarily. There is a much larger question involved, however, than the unintelligent action of an individual, and in seeking for a remedy for any evil, it is a well established rule to attack the root. The King Country residents are existing under laws with regard to the liquor question, that have no parallel in the Dominion. They were enacted to cope with conditions that have long ceased to exist. The only excuse for maintaining them is the ignorance of the of prevailing conditions, and the influence exerted by a section of the community in the direction of prohibition. With regard to the former, all will be agreed that it is high time the veil was lifted in connection with the matter referred to, and many others. With regard to the prohibition influence, opinions will be divided, and many will admit that the said influence makes for the the benefit of the country. The question at issue is quite apart from this debatable point. As the law stands, every district in the Dominion EXCEPT THE KING COUNTRY has the right to order its own conduct, and by exercising the local option vote, every electorate, with the exception of the king country can become prohibited, continue the liquor licences, or reduce the licensed houses, as a reasonable majority may elect, In the circumstances it is only to be expected that a widespread spirit of discontent should be engendered in the district, and there is a growing feeling that action should be taken to place the King Country on an equality with the rest of the Dominion. Whatever opinions are held with regard to the liqnor question, every settler in the Rohe Potae should be desirous of obtaining equal rights and liberties with his fellow colonists. There can be no question that the local option should be extended to our district. The principal at stake is infinitely greater than that of license or no-license. We should demand the same treatment as the rest of the Dominion, and if we remain lethargic in the present instance we shall be in continual danger of losing other treasured and time-honoured privileges of our race, because we are too spiritless to deserve our obvious rights.