Fiat Justitia.

Manawatu Herald, 25 June 1904, Page 2

Fiat Justitia.

Thk residents of Rongotea are making a most timely protest against the action of the Manawatu Licensing Committee in granting a wholesale license for their town, in the face of strong local opposition. It seems extraordinary that the Licensing Bench should have granted the application, when it was evident that a large majority of the townspeople were opposed to the establishment of a wholesale license. Whatever reason may have led the Commit! e to make this strange decision, it is clear that a very unconstitutional state of things exists when the Licensing laws are capable of being construed so as to allow the wishes of a small minority to override the rights of a majority. If such a precsdent is recognised, it will be entirely subversive of the first principle of democratic government—majority rule ; but it is obvious that such a state of things cannot be tolerated for long, since the people, who are gradually becoming cognisant of the facts of the case, have only to exercise their powers of self government, to ensure the speedy abolitition of the infamous system at present prevailing Even if nothing is done this session, Rongotoans may rest assured that the wrong which has been perpetrated upon them, but adds to the gathering storm of public opinion, which, when it does make itself heard, shall speak, as Carlyle has it, with no uncertain sound.