The Licensing Question in Newtown.

Manawatu Herald, 13 August 1903, Page 3

The Licensing Question in Newtown.

, A MASS MEETING. ANOTHER DEPUTATION TO GO TO THE PREMIER. Despite the roughness of the weather on Saturday night, a fairly large crowd assembled at the junction of Riddiford and Rintoul streets at the call of the Newtown No-license League. The Secretary of the League (Mr G/ B. Nicholls), speaking from a lorry, as did also those who followed him, explained that the League had called the meeting with the object of giving the residents of the district an 'opportunity of entering their protests against the laxity of the police in permitting liquor to be sold by unlicensed publicans in the Newtown electorate. The League had written to the Premier asking him to receive a deputation updf the subject on Wednesday next at 5.30 o’clock. Mr " r " Seddon has replied stating that he would receive the deputation on Thursday at i p.m. The league was disappointed at the alteration of the lame, for if the day had been Wednesday and the time 5 30 o’clock, a crowd of something like 2000 people would hare attended

and impressed the Premier With Newtown’s feelings upon this matter. However he urged the people of the district to attend in force on Thursday. Mr James Reid, a member of the Newtown Licensing Committee, entered a strong protest against the continuance of the selling of drink in the Newtown hotels. The matter was not sub judice in his or the Committee’s opinion, The Committee had “ disposed ” of the question of doubt by refusing to grant licenses, and the highest Court in the Colony had supported the Committee to issue licenses. The prohibition of the sale of liquor in Newtown was absolute, and yet the police allowed its sale to be continued. The police should protect the law. Mr W. H. P. Barber, M.H R. for Newtown, said he attended the meeting as the member for the district to enter his protest against the inaction of the police in not seeing that the law was enforced, and the will of the people was carried out, This was a democratic country, the people had voted out the liquor traffic from their district in an emphatic manner, and yet that vote was defied. Our own highest Court had refused to order the issue of licenses, and that should suffice. What right had the Privy Council to say yea or nay to the expression of the will of the people of Newtown ? (Voices ; No right!) What did the Privy Council known about Newtown’s affairs in this matter ? (Voices: Nothing !) Then there should be no appeal beyond our own Courts. The Government kad been remiss in not putting a stop before now to this vexed question. Parliament must deal with it. Why should Newtown be singled out from other parts and be disfranchised ? Wellington had had its local option poll, and the city was working its licensing trade according to the result of that poll. Newtown had taken a poll, also, but effect was not allowed to follow according to the poll. The people should strongly protest against this overriding of the expression of the will ©f the people. Mr A. J. Rand, another member of the Licensing Committee, agreed with the way in which Mr Reid had put the case, That the Committee had not acted outside its powers and of the limits of the law was proved by the decision of a majority of Judges of the Supreme Court Bench. Mr Rand moved : “ That this assemblage of Newtown electors feejing that it was within its rights in doing so, calls upon the police to immediately proceed against those publicans of Newtown district who are.selling liquor without licenses.” The Rev. W. Shirer seconded the motion which Was carried without a dissentient voice. Messrs Nicholla, Hindmarsh, R. McKenzie and others also spoke. Votes of thanks to speakers and to “ the man who lent the lorry,” closed the meeting.