King Country Chronicle Wednesday, August 13th, 1913 THE LIQUOR TRAFFIC.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VII, Issue 593, 13 August 1913, Page 4

King Country Chronicle Wednesday, August 13th, 1913 THE LIQUOR TRAFFIC.

The discus .'ion by the Te Kuili Borough Council on Monday evening with, reference to the necessity for an increase in the police staff at Te Kuiti, led directly to {he present position of the district in respect to the liquor traffic. There is no doubt a deplorable state of affairs exists. It is questionable if the conditions have ever previously been so bad, and the action of the council in drawing attention to the matter is to be commended. The suggestion that the increase in drunkenness and the illicit sale of grog is due to the lethargy of the police cannot be seriously entertained. A glance at the court records will indicate that the prosecutions and convictions for insobriety and grog selling are more numerous than ever, and the police activity is indicated in every direction. It has to be borne in mind that the population of the town and district served by the r iV Kuiti court is growing rapidly, and the responsibilities o£ the officials are increasing proportionately with the growth of the population. The decision of the local authorities to apply for further police assistance is well timed, and it is to be hoped prompt attention will bo given to the application. As was pointed out by the Mayor at the council meeting there is naturally a divergence of opinion as to the best method of coping with the evil which prevails at Te Kuiti, but there will be no difference in the minds of all right thinking to the necessity of putting an end to it. The appointment of extra police assistance should have the effect of reducing the c-vil, but the root of the matter lic-s deeper and it is desirable that (he attention of those in power should Lie directed to the underlying principle which, governs the situation. The panisan on eithar side will naturally see only one method of coping with tlv situation, but the matter is of sue'n grave importance that it is time the people as a body were given the opportunity of freely expressing their will on the subject. It is claimed by the no-license advocates that such districts as Ashburton and others.where the no-license principle has been carried by public vote that; the conditions are better than they were under license. Nobody acquainted with the circumstances will claim that the conditions obtaining at Te Kuiti. and other King Country centres are desirable, and it is high time the people were granted the privilege of definitely stating their wishes on the subject. It is not desirable that; the issue should be limited to license versus no license, and it may be questioned whether the license system wouid be

an improvement on the present conditions. No argument need be offered on either Fide. The iact that the present system is iniquitous anil a menace to the- community i- : mtiiciont to demand ;hni an nitration should be made, and wo I riw iho nuihorilicfl v, ill grasp the - opportunity ot o'\ec>- i ing a very nc-es.-ary social reform. !