RANDOM REMARKS.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VII, Issue 524, 7 December 1912, Page 7

RANDOM REMARKS.

By Onlooker.

The liquor question is again agitating the mind of a certain section of the local public, and if the agitation is kept going, interesting and instructive battles are bound to be waged in connection therewith. In the present occasion there is no suggestion that any poor, suffering mortal is consumed with ;*a thirst which prevailing conditions render it impossible to quench. It is conceded on all hands that sufficient liquor is imported to the King Country to float the New Zealand Dreadnought in record time. There have arisen in consequence the cold water advocates, and the pure liquor advocates, each body claiming to be actuated by pureIv philanthropic motives. The ''trade" for the present is unrepresented, being apparently content to stand aside and hope for a repetition of the Kilkenny cat episode. • Some people are entirely unaffected by either of the phases of tha question referred to, and are only concerned with the aspect of the cas9 which demands that the King Country should receive similar treatment to the rest of the. Dominion. When the present system which provides for thfl local option vote was adopted it was in pursuance of allowing the people to decide for themselves for or against the liquor traffic. That principle has not yet been extended to the King Country, and notwithstanding ths claim of the prohibition advocates that prohibition is steadily winning under the system, they strongly oppose the extension of the principle to this district. Sach an attitude is somewhat difficult to understand. If the principle of the ieferendum is sound it should embrace the whole of the districts of the Dominion. The spirit which claims for the King Country equal liberties with the remainder of the Dominion is the only spirit worth importing, and the only aspect of the case worthy of consideration at the present juncture. When our people awaken to a realisation of what it means they will demand, and obtain, their rights. When that has been achieved they will have shown themselves fit and proper persons to utilise their privileges in a manner calculated to dignify their district and their country.

To what trifling causes can be as cribed great results at timesr At first glance there be small connection between the liquor conditions of the district and certain fashions in dress, but to those acquainted with the fine distinctions uf masculine apparel certain peculiarities of King Country fashions can only be accounted for by the liquor restrictions. Hospitably minded persons abound in the district, and the impossibility of asking a friend to "come and have one" at the nearest hotel has led to the castom of carrying a bottle in the most convenient pocket. In olden days the hip pocket was generally the repository for small change, and the pocket was of suitable dimensions for such purpose. Experience has led to the knowledge that the same pocket is the most suitable for the carriage of the convivial nip, and pockets are enlarged accordingly. Every competent tailor provides? a capacious hip pocket in every King Country suit irrespective of orders. When in doubt, a specially competent tailor provides two such pockets. Incidentally, the practice has enriched the vocabulary with the word "hippocketize."

The Federationista at Waihi signified their return to sweet reason by seizing the Miners' Union Hall the first time the building was left alone and unprotected. The men evidently believe in the healthy argument that possession is nine pointg of the law. and are prepared to stand a siege or an actiun at law. Now that the heat of battle has cooled the physical ardour of both parties, it is probable the cold eye o F the law will be called upon to scrutinise the claims of the rival unions to the building. One thing about the business is that unless the men cease quarrelling among themselves and do their best to meet the employers without seeking occasion to harass the mining industry, the hall will be little use to anyone. At present it appears likely to achieve almost as much fame as the cherished building in Belfast, the use of which by the Home Rule advocates appeared likely to cause a civil war.

The news of the removal of Mr F. O'B. Loughnan, S.M. from this district to Blenheim, will be received with widespread regret. Equally for his broad geniality in private life, and his strong common sense and ability on the Bench, Mr Luughnan has made a reputation among the best elements of a large district which might well ha envied by anyone. When he was appointed to this district Mr Loughnan was faced with rather a delicate position in respect to liquor cases, and the matter was handled with that degree of understanding and firmness which was absolutely necessary to meet the situation satisfactorily. Although a member of the legal profession, Mr Loughnan is one of those magistrates whose decisions are always rendered on the "equity and good conscience" aspect of a case rather than the purely technical. Even when technicalities have to be observed Mr Loughnan shows a happy adroitness in emphasising the equities of the case, and the local bar would blush to accept an advantage on purely technical grounds after the S.M. had pointed out the moral rights of the case. It is always a regret to lose such an influence from a district. Probably Blenheim's need for such a magistrate is greater than that o^.the King Country. \ ...