King Country Conference.

King Country Chronicle, Volume IV, Issue 276, 13 July 1910, Page 4

King Country Conference.

To the Editor. Great preparation is now being made at Taumarunui for the reception of delegates of local bodies to a conference to be held there on the 12th inst. The function has been organised by the Taumarunui Chamber of Commerce, and invitations have been heartily responded to. The ladies are taking an active part in the arrangements for entertaining the delegates and sparing no pains to make the visit a pleasant one.- The object of this conference is now fairly well known, and the need of roads and bridges, and the possibilities, as well as probabilities of getting them will be iargely discussed. Let us hope some results will eventuate. One of the all important subjects which has for a long time been a curse throughout the whole disj trict, costing many a good pan his character, and considerable illicit business, may probably get a hearing. I refer now to the "liquor restrictions." It is very well known how such came into existance, through the "Treaty of Waitangi," when, at the time that treaty was made, conditions and circumstances were favourable, and for many years later, there was no justifiable reason why conditions should not exist. Of later years the conditions have greatly altered, and the old obsolete law require altering. The numerous cases of persons having liquor confiscated from them by an officer who was only doing his duty by doing so, the many fines inflicted for having liquor and being charged with having it for sale, as well as toasts having to be drunk in tea or coffee, or perhaps cold water at certain local banquets, all these are reasons for a change. A movement is now on foot advocating local option for the district, which has not been any too soon, and it is hoped will meet with some success. I am not blind to the evils of drink and its effects upon my fellow men, end in every case would discourage the unnecessary use of it, but the inevitable must at all times be recognised. Our civilised race always have and always will, have its beer or whisky when it likes, and at all costs. Then why not make the conditions so that it will cost less than it does now and the extra cost which goes to procure a cargo, be allowed to remain in our towns? Why should a person be compelled to sneak away, and return with his cargo under cover, and stealthily avoid a policeman sighting him and if he is caught, woe betide him. The butchers, bakers, and perhaps all trades would fare better, if he can get his cargo at less cost. It is hoped that some result of the above-men-tioned conlerence will lead to properly conducted and licensed, tiouses being erected and liquor being procurable in a legitimate manner, and costing much less than at the present time. Space will not permit or I would write here numerous justifiable reasons for the removal of the restrictions, and I would defy the most earnest prohibitionist to justify their present existence. —I am, etc., NEEDLEBAR.