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King Country Chronicle, Volume VII, Issue 601, 10 September 1913, Page 5

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! KING HEJ^^-F^%> ; DEBATE' i \ PCi Of CH^-'V i ! The liquo m ~-l i i in. v I Country has ' 3 i V in i of j mi agitation po; ic r iu Ih o )\ The ivstrictior 1 a< i i ' > ' ! trie! when tht is i Cour> ' \ \ tically an unl no\ n ' ind ic «.lie j u r o pean are sf.il l in ioul, ar.d the ioc >l option vote has really no significance to the residents of the district. Sections of the community in various centre have from time to time urged that an alteration should be made in the laws governing the liquor traffic of the district, and a plebiscite of ratepayers in the Ohakune borough in reference to the following question* was taken a week or two ago:—(1) Are you in favour of the present licensing law affecting this borough being altered so as to give an effective vote on the licensing question? (2) Are you in favour of the law remaining as it is? The result of the plebiscite was that 206 vo fc ed in favour of the alteration of the law and 116 in favour of the present law. There were five informal votes and 327 of the 500 ballot papers issued were returned. The same idea wa" reflected in a motion tabled by Cr Spencer at the last meeting of the Te Kuiti Borough Council as follows:—"That in order that the liquor question in the King Country may be put on a more satisfactory, equitable and businesslike footing, this council endeavours to arrange a conference of those local bodies, Chambers of Commerce, and others interested, to meet with a view to considering the idea of a referendum on the question of: (a) Ordinary license; (b) State control; (c) municipal and county control; (d) other conditions than that at present obtaining and the result of such referendum to be brought under the notice of the legislature with a request to adopt the same.

In referring to the motion before it came up for discussion the Mayor said he thought the council was hardly the place for the introduction of the subject. Moreover, he pointed out the carrying oat of the suggestions embodied in the motion would entail a considerable amount of expense ar.d work. He hoped the mover would see fit not to persevere with it, Mr Spencer said he disagreed with the Mayor on the subject. It was in his opinion quite within the province of the council to discuss the matter. He held that the council had a responsibility in respect to good government of the town just as much as in looking after roads and footpaths. The speaker referred to the action taken by the Ohakune Borough Council in taking a poll on somewhat similar lines to that which was proposed. This indicated that the interest in the question waß widespread throughout the district. Regarding the matter from a business point of view, apart from sentiment there could be no doubt the district was contributing largely to outside places with no hope of a return except in the way of a headache. If State or municipal control were introduced the revenue at present being derived by outsiders would be kept within the district and could be utilised for the benefit of the district. However, tber« was no desire on his part to advocate anything except the taking of the wish of the people. The Treaty of Waitangi would probably be quoted to them, but the day was past when such ridiculous arguments should appeal to sensible people. All his motion meant was that the wißh«s of the people should be ascertained. Cr Mabbett said he would second the motion if for no other reason than that the intention was to refer the matter to the people. A referendum on any subiect was desirable. Cr Walsh said it; was too much to expect the Government to give them either State or municipal control, which were merely experiments. There was much to be said in favour of a system whereby strict police supervision was possible. However, ho disagreed with the proposal and would vote against it. The Mayor said it was an open secret that legislation bearing on the matter would be introduced this session, and he believed the people would receive the right to vote. Nobody could reasonably oppose that principle and he was prepare.l to 'asisst in getting it. From the strictest enquiries which had been made he could honestly say that while a great deal of liquor came into Te Kuiti, the quantity was probably less than was brought to other similar King Country centres. Moreover, it was infinitely less than would be consumed if the open sale of liquor was allowed. He was satisfied all those present wished to see a clean living town. However, if the resolution was passed it would commit the council to a tedious procedure and would entail considerable work and expense to no serviceable end. Cr Somerville said all they wished the Mayor to do was to call a public meeting so that all could express an opinion who wished, and a strong resolution could then be passed dealing with the matter. This would keep the matter prominently before tlie Government. Cr Graham said there was no need to (iebnte the question of liquor or no liquor. The object was to get an ercnrcssion of opinion on a definite j ;.-.'; l-o and lie would support the

( t Pi k t c i\ i ei'erred to h i i iiii'i remained , , i t u i i. iild not; ext x i ii n ke action. 1 ij L 'i ol * public i , , t u\ i L i iio it (in it was eari t n ■> mu