What a Defence

Manawatu Herald, 18 June 1892, Page 2

What a Defence

# In yesterday's New Zealand Times the following paragraph appeared : — In conversation with a Times reporter yesterday on the subject of the removal of a small part of the Otorohanga district from the pro hibition against the issue of liquor licenses which covers the entire King Country, the Hon Mr Cadman explained that the action in question had been taken after due consideration.. It was done in compliance with an application signed by Wahanni and Taonui (the two leading chiefs of the district), together with others of minor note. Their object was to enable proper accommodation to be made for the Europeans who were settling in the district and travelling through it. The Minister had satisfied himself that some accommodation was necessary for travellers, and that the granting of a lioense was the only way to ensure the provision of what was required. The same thing happens everywhere throughout the country, and keeps pace with its advancing settlement. As a matter of fact, there are fewer Natives resident at Otorohanga than in many of the surrounding settlements. Besides, there is a constable stationed there who will see to the proper regulation of the trafficLet any one read the above carefully, and mark the absurdities. The district has been proclaimed because " as a matter of fact there are fewer Natives resident at Otorohanga than in many of the surrounding settlements," yet the district has been proclaimed because the Natives wanted the -pub ! What a peculiar idea then to place what they want in a spot where there are fewer Natives!! Then, it is stated, that a public house is the only means that will enable "proper" accommodation to be made for Europeons, What a cheerful statement to set about, that Europeans cannot travel without there is an opportunity given to them to have a drinking bout, at every stopping place. This is practically what the Hon Mr Cadman thinks, as the reporter says "the Minister had satisfied himself that some accommodation was necessary for travellers, and that the granting of a license was the only way to ensure the provision of what was required." Ii it will not pay to put up an accommodation house without granting it a publican's license, it must be that without the profit to be derived from the sale of liquor, the trade would not pay, showing travellers cannot be many and must drink hard to help the publican. Then comes the question who is to do the drinking ? The public whom the Minister infers must drink pretty heavily, or the Natives ? The Minister however would lead the public to understand the Natives are not likely to as there are so few in that particular district, therefore the travellers will have to do the lot. Thus, practically, the Natives have this most undesirable thing placed in their midst, not for their benefit, but for the convenience of the travelling Europeans! And this is considered just treatment, by a Liberal Government ! The last three lines of the paragraph admits at once the knowledge the govern - rnent have of the evil they are about to do, as " there ia a constable stationed there who will see to the proper regulation of the traffic ! ! !