LICENSING BOARDS IN NEW ZEALAND.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 6, Issue 1827, 30 October 1884, Page 2

LICENSING BOARDS IN NEW ZEALAND.

In a letter to Mr William Hoyle, which appears in the ' Alliance News,' Sir William Fox, who is now on a visit to this country, says:—" I lately spent a month in one sputhein island in the Canterbury district, chiefly on a|; temperance campaign. I. found the Blue Ribbon had got ahead of me, and done much excellent w.orki. But the matter of most interest was to see what effect our Elected Li'pensjng ; Committees were having, and-to stir up the people to do their, duty towards them and by them, So far they have done exceedingly little—nothing whatever towards abolishing existing licenses, though they have been more chary of granting new ones, Bub as it is the existing ones which fill our gaols and lunatic asylums, wo have gained very little by the adoption of the system. On the occasion of the late electious there was no doubt in a few cases a good deal of excitement, and the 1 temperance party, got majorities- of thoir own opinions elected in several instances, and I believe there will, be a dozen or two public-houses suppressed noxt licensing day. But this is poor progress ; and the law has been four years in operation. How many centuries would it take to clear Great Britain and Ireland ot r,he drink shops by similar machinery? The only good outcome we have had of it is that in the larger towns a good deal.of excitement is got [up once a year, which tends to educate the people and get it warmed up on the question generalle. But till we get the popular veto pure and simple 1 have little hope of any substantial good being done. lam sorry to see that in Scotland and among the Church of England Temperance Society there is a leaning in favor of the elected benches, and nothing more. I have no objection to them if the permissive veto is added to the bill."