THE LICENSING QUESTION

Kaipara and Waitemata Echo, 4 October 1911, Page 3

THE LICENSING QUESTION

A. "Wellington telegram states:— It is uimoured that, the miners of 'Wuihi are anxious that restoration should be carried in the Ohmeniuri district, and, with this cud in view, are considering a scheme -whereby, in the event of restoration, they are to have a direct interest, not only in the man agement, but in thb protits of licensed houses.. It is understood that if arrangements can be made with the wholesalers interested, it is the intention of the miners to take active ami keen participation in the forthcoming local option poll.

The rumour in question was mentioned to Mr Myers, and the member for Auckland East, who is in a good position to speak with some authority on the point, confirmed the report. In discussing tae situation, Mr Myers agreed that this movement at Waihi hdd within it the germ of a great a.nd radical change iv the system of tiie control of licensed houses. ''It lias yet to be seen how such a svsteni as that proposed in Waihi will work," he said, "but, in view of tho ■ large population of the Ohineruuri district, it is to be presumed hi tho event of restitution being carried on those lines thai the profits that accrue as a result of the nrner»' interest in the houses will result in tho augmentation of such funds as the sick and accident fund liy large accretions from this source, and what is from the public point of view, I suppose, of greater import < ance," added Air Myers, "it will probably be ihe forerunner of a desire on the part of the people to experiment witli the question of municipal or State owii ership of hotels. This is undo übtedly the tendency of the present movement at Waihi." . .