CONTROL OF LIQUOR.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VII, Issue 523, 4 December 1912, Page 5

CONTROL OF LIQUOR.

PUBLIC MEETING AT TE KUITI. The meeting convened by the Mayor to discuss matters in connection with the control of liquor in the King Country, was held in the Municipal Hall on Monday evening. His Worship the Mayor presided over a small attendance. The meeting was called in order to allow Mr A. Scholes, member of the Licensing Bench, to obtain an idea of the feeling of the people upon the question of control. Unfortunately this was not adhered to, and the meeting devolved into a debating society, motions and amendments being hurled at the chairman with marvellous fluency. After a great deal of general discussion, principally on prohibition and not on the matter before the meeting, the following motion was moved by the Rev. Armstrong:—"That this meeting of citizens, held in the Municipal Hall, Te Kuiti, on December 2nd, 1912, respectfully, yet strongly, appeals to the Government to prohibit the importation of liquor by the railways and to effect very desirable reforms in this area, and to make the laws now applicable to no-license areas applicable to the King Country." Mr M. Forsyth moved as an amendment, "That the action of the King Country representative on the Taumarunui Licensing Committee, who moved as follows at the last meeting of the committee 'that in the opinion of this committee the time has arrived for a change in the system now existing in the King Country, and this committee urges that the whole of the liquor supplied to the residents or others in that area be placed under Municipal or State control,' be approved by this meeting of Te Kuiti residents." The amendment was carried by a large majority.