Manamatu Herald. THUESDAY, JUNE 1, 1893. Judge Richmond's Charge.

Manawatu Herald, 1 June 1893, Page 2

Manamatu Herald. THUESDAY, JUNE 1, 1893. Judge Richmond's Charge.

" Thrhe is no doubt a laxity in the administration of the existing licensing law." This was Judge Richmond's charge to the grand jury at Wellington on Monday. When breaches of the law " are proved in Court, as they frequently are, it is certainly then the duty of the police to enquire into the matter, and take care that a proper representation df the facts should come before: the Licensing Committee." Here we have the calmly expressed opinion of one of the ablest of New Zealand judges, yet there -appears a power capable of restraining the action of the police in Wellington. This is no question as to the number of licensed houses, but one of much moment to the inhabitants, viz., why the police are not compelled to see to the enforcement of the law? It reads peculiar to hear that it nas been proved in Court " over and over again " that breaches of the law have been made without any resulting prosecution. The judge evidently; thinks so to or he would not have dwelt so strongly upon the point. We are glad to learn that " a great deal can be done in the way of enforcing the law as it actually exists," which is a left-handed compliment, much deserved, to the law. Half the, troubles arising from drink have ( their origin after tlie houses- are. < supposed to be shut, for then the party feel secure feoin outsiders dropping in, and . abandon the restraint ' they . had previously put upon themselves. If the law was carefully enforced/many, now cager 1 ' for licenses, would not be so anxious to obtain them. The chief trouble iv t.b,e wholpof the licensing question appears to us to be the " tied " : houses, out of which the brewers ! make their fortunes, whilst the licensees just make a living. There t was a movement once to make ' tied ' houses illegal, but wevare not aware why it was abandoned. Anyhow ' with the Ministerial leaning to beer we need not expect much action to be taken to enable the existing law to be given fuller effect to than it i has been, though the judge says a 1 great deal can.be done. As he says, : it is not what can be done but why is it not done. ,