MAORIS AND LIQUOR.

Taranaki Daily News, 30 September 1916, Page 5

MAORIS AND LIQUOR.

& STRONG INDICTMENT Napier, September 2S. In the debate to-night on a report of the committee on liquor ami the Maoris, presented to tlie Anglican Svnod, tlie Kev. Digby Wilson (U'uipho Bay) said that 110 language could be too strong to describe tho state of things now existing among the Maoris from Tokomaru to Hicks' Bay. Si\- years ago things were wonderfully better, and be thought that in no part of the world, except on the West Coast of Africa, was tlie londition of things so bad. ]t would be hard to conceive a worse state ot affairs.

Bishop Sedgwick said that no words of his could describe the condition of things on the East Coast. There had been a marked deterioration down all the East Coast during the past two years, which was utterly deplorable. He hud written to the Ministers and Mr. Xgata about it. The matter must constantly be brought before tlie attention of the authorities. He had heard of little children and women being drunk and incapable of walking about. The Rev. Baruett (Tohiga Bay) corroborated what the others had said. Tho state of things at tlie ilauiti pa during the recent tangi was too dreadful for words. The man responsible for the tnnjri had paid out £301), mostly for drink. He dared not describe to" tho Synod in detail what he had seen. This drunkenness was nearly oil due to the pakehas introducing drink from outside districts.

The report stated that the liquor obtained by North Island uatives was injurious to the physique of the race, and that it was retarding their advance and destroying the foundation of their character