LIQUOR IN THE KING COUNTRY.

King Country Chronicle, Volume IV, Issue 266, 8 June 1910, Page 2

LIQUOR IN THE KING COUNTRY.

A conference of some importance in connection with King Country affairs took place on NJonday at Waahi, Mahuta's settlement near Huntly, between the Hon. Mahuta and representative chiefs of the Waikato and the Rohi Potai on one side, and Mr Wesley Spragg, the president of the New Zealand Alliance for the prohibition of the liquor traffic, the Revs. John Dawson (secretary) and Wm. Gittos. on the other side.

The conference was sought for by the representatives of the Alliance on account of reports which have been in circulation that the Maoris were willing, if not anxious, to have the proclamation of 1884, whereby liquor was to be kept out of the King Country for ever, annulled. After due regard had been paid to the proprieties of Maori etiquette, the Rev. Wm. Gittos introduced the deputation, and explained its object, which was to inquire what was the real attitude of the Maoris towards the proclamation of the Rohi Potai as a prohibited district, so that the Alliance might have information at first hand. The Rev. John Dawson and Mr Spragg followed; first by describing the objects of the Alliance, and then by briefly setting forth the situation, and asking for Mahuta's powerful aid to prevent liquor sellers, who were prompted by greed of gain, from destroying the good word and work of the fathers of the Maori who had so definitely arranged that the land which they at the time occupied exclusively should for all times be closed to liquor, which was known to be the curse of the Maori and the white man alike.

The speaker who followed was the yenerable chief Tupotahi, of Kihi the Rev. Gittqs interpreting. Tupotahi lamented the injury done to the natives by liquor, ancl charged the white man with having introduced it to them. He said: "You were strong to bring waipiro to us. You are strong enough to put it away again. We will unite with you to destroy this evil monster which is destroying the Maori. As to what you ask about what our fathers did in keeping liquor out of the Rohi Potai, we adhere to— Mahuta is strong to support this thing." The Hon. Mahutu said the chiefs assembled represented the Rohi Potai — that is, were of the King Country. He said: "My words shall not be many, hut few, about the Rohi Potai. Those words (the proclamation) shall nevep be qltered. They never shall be. The intention of our Maori Councils is that we will not have liquor in the district. This thing shall be again discussed at our great meetings. I say to you be strong, be very strong in the work you are doing. It is the right woi'lc, and may God make you very strong to do it. I quite approve of what you ask for. I shall stand by iihe work qf our fathers and our grandfathers. THei?' work was right. I will do as you ask, and will send a message to ray people through the Council, to say that the \yord of our fathers is to stand, and that no liquor shall come into the Rohi Potai."

At the close of the conference, the Revs. Gittos and Dawson and Mr Spragg were invited to partake of food with the Hon. Mahutu, after which they were courteously conveyed across the river, the clusters of women bidding them the Maori adieux.