LIQUOR IN THE KING COUNTRY

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 146, 10 September 1927, Page 8

LIQUOR IN THE KING COUNTRY

Sir,— I have just read ‘ Let Well Alone’s” letter in THE SUN and while agreeing- with him in a general way. I should like to supplement his remarks by detailing a little of my personal experience in living in the King Country for 17 years past. I know the towns of Taurr.arunui, Te Kuiti and Otorohanga intimately and X assert that, with all

its defects, the present prohibition of j supplying liquor to natives is better ; than giving them free access to liquor j by the establishment of public houses j in the King Country. It is most il- ; logical to claim that by opening hotels we shall reduce the consumption of \ liquor. Admittedly, “keg parties” are j held by Europeans, and sly-grog cases j appear in the Press from time to time, but the great mass of the people, both pakeha and Maori, live sober lives and compare more than favourably with the residents in towns where hotels are open. It is well known that breaches of the law are frequent in licensed areas, the serving of liquor after hours, for example, being a common “sly-grog” practice. The figures of liquor consumed per head in the King Country and in the licensed areas are eyeopeners to those, who advocate the extension of the open hotel system to this district, the King Country averaging less than £ 1 a head of the population per annum and outside district £3 or £4 per head. The exact figures can be readily obtained by those interested. Finally, I would ask Bishop Cherrington to speak with the police officers and other court officials and get their experience. Hie will be surprised to learn that they strongly support the present proclaimed area In preference to open bars. OLD RESIDENT. King Country.