LIQUOR IN THIS LOCALITY.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VI, Issue 510, 19 October 1912, Page 6

LIQUOR IN THIS LOCALITY.

The Editor. Sir,—lt is extremely gratifying, to all lovers of good citizenship to find at last attention directed to the offensive lengths to which liquor lawlessness has been recently carried in this locality. The thanks of the community is due to those ir.embers of the Council who are callii.g publicly for the prevention of a recurrence of the state of affairs which has been recently exposed. A state of affairs not only calculated to defame this community in the eyes of the travelling public, but also to prevent th 9 incoming of desirable settlers to this district. Up and down the Main Trunk Te Kuiti is building an unenviable notoriety for reckless drinking. Such a reputation is not calculated to enhance the future interests of our town

and goes a long way towards libelling the greater part of our citizens. The day is too late in history, sir, for such doings as have been witnessed of

late. With the overwhelming public conviction prevalent against the drink, estimable settlers are not likely to be attracted to paits, public morals of which are so far behind the times as to permit of recent scenes It is time the community was aroused to the seriousness of matters and united to change the present lamentable state of affairs. In my opinion, •3ir, a state of things exist here in the matter of Bacchanalian carousals somewhat like that which caused the Waihi "troubles." In labour matters we have had the spectacle of many hundreds of men dictated to and domineered over by a mere handful of syndicalist anarchic agitators, whose power was ultimately broken by the advent of the law. Now, sir, in this community we are suffering from then influence (as many other districts might also confess) of a comparatively small and foolish circle of drinkers Who in the obsession of their appetites for alcoholic liquor, have no respect for the good name of the town, the rights of other citizens, nor regard for the true intent of the law. They constitute a loud-voiced ridiculous, out-of-date minority, who by their prominence are creating a discreditable reputation fur this town. The statement su often made that a license would be better than the present "conditions," is, I think, sir, a grave mistake uttered by many who sincerely desire reform. We know that it is a well-known commercial principle that "facility makes traffic," therefore to introduce into

this town a license is increasing the facility for obtaining liquor and must unusetionably lead to an increase consumption and an enlargement of evils. However, bad things may be as they are, it is the opinion of many that a licensed house here would be very harmful commercially and morally necessitate a considerable increase in the police *orce. The function of the law should be to "make it hard to do wrong," and so the more difficulties that are placed in the way of obtaining intoxicating liquor the better the social life of this counity will be. For instance, the present state of affairs has gradually arisen, it is generally admitted since the repeal of the law regarding the importation of liquor into the King Country. Some years back the Government refused to carry it on the trains and then those who wanted it had to go to Ts Awamutu for it, consume it there and bring none away. But the repeal of that law, which really constituted for practical purposes this a "prohibited area" gave increased facilities for the obtaining of liquor and the conse-

quences are what we are now generally deploring. One of the most effective remedies for the present troubles is simply the restoration and reinforcement of the law to my view it would be the remedy. From the foregoing it will be seen that neither true prohibition or local option prevails in the King Country—■ all we can say is that we are in the Rohe Potae. Still, however dissatisfied we may be with the Treaty made with the Maori, no settler should complain, for doubtless all knew the prevailing conditions before coming into the "sacred" area. Now, as good citizens, we should abide by the legal position, and as representatives of that race which gave its word of honour to the Maori that no liquor should be trafficked in these parts, we should oppose strongly the ' introduction of "public license —nriI or municipal. In the matter of ' municipal control" I would like to ask, sir, "Is it in the best interests 1 of this community to allow the poison alcohol which we teach our children in the public schools 'is a poison in the same sense as chloroform, strychnine and opium are poisons,' to be sold under different conditions to these poisons?" Would it be in the best interests of our council to add to its present burdens, the huge difficulties and dishonour of collectively becoming "a licensed publican." Has any municipality the right to trade upon the depraved tastes of the people? Would it show wisdom upon the council's part to introduce for the sake of "hospital revenue," that prolific source of disease and death so condemned by all up-to-date hospital authorities? Of course the Socialist crys "municipalise all monopoly !" And what are the main reasons urged for this? Simply: Increase, facility, cheapness and extension and general benefit —hence municipalise tramways, lighting, water supply, etc. But, sir, can any one show a single instance where a trade or privilege has been municipalised with a view to curtail or repress it—is not the very opposite the object in view? So any attempt at municipalising the liquor traffic in these parts would only aggravate the evils that now exist. The fact is, sir, that "municipal control" is fifty years out of date. In this dominion the traffic has been brought each year more and more under control and is now awaiting its end —the majority of 55,282 votes being a measured sign of the traffic's doom. It is not for our

councillors to be wasting valuable time, therefore, on "our of date theories," but as guardians of the good name of this rising town, see that to all future transgressors "the punishment will fit the crime." It remains for citizens to encourage the police, support the bench, pull with the council and individually do their best to aid the necessary reform. I am sure, that if we only unite on this, the stigma that now rests upon this community will be removed and within a few months even those who perpetrated will learn to have the events of recent local history. Thanking you for the space you not only devote to this but to all other matters affecting the well being and progress of ths district.—l am, etc., CRUSADER.