Tuapeka Times. AND GOLDFIELDS REPORTER AND ADVERTISER. SATURDAY, SEPT. 19, 1874. "MEASURES, NOT MEN."

Tuapeka Times, Volume VII, Issue 392, 19 September 1874, Page 2

Tuapeka Times. AND GOLDFIELDS REPORTER AND ADVERTISER. SATURDAY, SEPT. 19, 1874. "MEASURES, NOT MEN."

As the subject of legislation for the suppression of intemperance is generally engaging .public attention, we in last Saturday's issue gave from a Home exchange a summarised, view of the address given by John Bright, at the yearly meeting of the Friends in London, on that subject. That summary, it has been pointed out to us, scarcely did justice to Mr. Bright. He did not positively discountenance legislation on the subject, but advocated it to the extent that public opinion was educated for it. To pass sweeping laws in the present state of public opinion, would be to promote something like civil war. Those who do not yet see it to be their duty to forego the luxuries of the beer-pot, would rise in riot to restore the coveted beverage. Therb is much truth in this view of the case ; heace legislation in this direction must, to be effective, proceed cautiously. Mr. Bright is in favor of legislation in so far as the early closing of public houses are concerned, and also in favor of shortening the hours of business on "First Day " (Sunday) ; but as regards further legislation, he does not clearly see his way until there be a healthier state of public opinion. And in taking this view he cannot be accused of any interested motives. He assured tho meeting that ever since he went to housekeeping he had not followed the post-prandial practise of furnishing wines, &c, to his family and guests. A 1 man, therefore, with such a practise, who gives such an opinion, is entitled to respectful consideration. As in the Old Country, so in this ; we are not in a position to carry wholesale legislation for the suppression of intemperance. Public opinion with us is no more ripe for it than with them ; at the barne time we should like to see that opinion more advanced than it is. We should like to see all the men who, to use Mr. Bright's words, "go to church for other purposes thun those of fashion ," following some rule which would tend to the suppression of intemperance. A more decided stand on their part would have due weight with it, and so would that of others who feel along with them in this matter. Ministers of religion should in this respect be an example, because nothing can be plainer than that intemperance operates against a man's higher interests ; so ought medical men, as it is eqiially plain that it proves deeply injurious to a man's physical health ; magistrates- and officers in the police department ought also to lend as far as possible the weight of their example to the suppression of the evil, as it comes before them as one of the most prolific sources of crime. We are not, however, unprepared for some legislation in the matter. We have advanced so far as to legislate on the traffic on Sundays ; we have made publicans responsible when inebriates are turned out of their houses in an incapable state; they can be stopped supplying drunken persons on the demand of those who have an interest in the parties ; gambling, which usually accompanies drinking, is also illegal in public hotels. In all these respects, and in others, public opinion is, we believe, generally in favor of legislation. We should like to see it advance to the lessening of the number of public houses. When they are too thickly on the ground there is a danger of the proprietors pushing business so as to increase intemperance, which it ought to be the business of every man to suppress.

Our Provincial Government have very strange ways of doing business. For instance, in last Saturday's daily papers appeared an advertisement notifying for public information "that applications may now be made at any Land Office for land situated in any Land District, either under the usual system of immediate or under the deferred payment clauses oirthe Act." Then followed a list of land open for application, on the strength of which,, we suppose, Mr. John M'Lean lodges applications for somewhere about 4000 acres on the Bellamy Run, now held by him under a pastoral lease. On the Tuesday following, the advertisement is altered in the daily papers, and now reads as it appears in our advertising columns of this day. TJhje words, "under the usual system of immediate payment," are withdrawn from the advertisement, and the words, * c under the deferred payment clauses of the Act," are left standing. Bow, by this advertisement the public are informed that 4,493 acres are open for application ; whereas, from all we can learn, there are not 1000 acres open. On the 16th September, 1873, 2,000 acres on Mr. Smith's run, and 2,400 on Mr. M 'Lean's ruu were proclaimed open for application on the deferred payment system. On the 14th October of the same year, the same land was withdrawn. That on M'Leavt's run, we believe, was withdrawn on the recommendation of the District Land Officer, as no provision had been upon it for roads. The 2,000 acres on Mr. Smith's run were again thrown open on the" 6th March of the present year, since which time 1,072 acres have been applied for, granted, and occupied. We should like to ask-Mr. J. T. Thomson, whose signature is appended to the advertisement above referred to, in what part of the Tuapeka District these 4,493 acres are situated, as we know of many persons who are anxiously looking out for good land, and who would gladly take up some of it. We have no doubt in our mind that the advertisement is incorrect, as there appears to us to be only 928 acres open for application in the Tuapeka District ; and, as may be supposed, that land compiises the worst of the deferred payment block. It is a pity advertisements, issued from head quarters, and bearing the name of the Chief Commissioner, should be bo misleading to the public