MAORIS AND NO-LICENSE.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 9144, 21 July 1908, Page 5

MAORIS AND NO-LICENSE.

DEPUTATION TO TH3 PREMIER. . BT PRESS ASSOCIATION. WELLING' ON, July 20. A deputation from the Mao i Congress submitted a petition to the Premier, to-day, praying thnt it be enacte.l that either the supply of liquor le\ absolutely prohibited to Maoris, and also to half-castes living in settlements amongst Maoris, or else that power oe given to the Maori people to express an opinion and to vote upon the question of whether or not liquor should be supplied to Maoris, either within the existing Maori electoral areas or within the Maori Council districts. Sir Joseph Ward promised that this question would receive the fullest and most careful consideration. It was not an easy matter,, however, because if any legislation was introduced on licensing matters it would open the flood gales for proposals by any, body, but he was in full sympathy withthc request, and would do all in his power to further it. He certainly thought the Maoris should have the power as they had the right to vote on the liquor question, which was an important one affecting themselves and their descendants. Whether this could be done this session he doubted, but Cabinet would consider the advisability of bringing the matter forward.