THE ROACHE CASE.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XII, Issue 3971, 24 November 1891, Page 2

THE ROACHE CASE.

Policemen Enlangere&<

A Commission of Enquiry.

The N.Z. Prohibitionist, of Saturday, referring to the petition for the removal of Constable Roache, says:— We wish to draw the attention of our readers to a recent case that evidences the danger threatening any policeman who, without fear or favour, insists upon the public houses in his district being conducted with some semblance of decency, and who, despite the peril of the task, determines to do his duty. From recent issues of the Wairarafa Daily we learn THAT CONSTABLE ROACHE, who has been for some time stationed in the township of Eketahuna, an<i who has won the coufidence and respect of the better portion of the community is a steady, upright, intelligent officer, has insisted upon clauses 127 and 128 of the Licensing Act, prohibiting women and young girls dancing in public houses, being strictly observed, and by so doing has aroused the hatred and malice of the WHISKY SELLERS AND WHISKY SOAKERS of the neighbourhood. Instigated by parties interested in the trade, a petition for Constable Roache's removal was circulated, thirty-six signatures—of what class our readers can guess—were secured, aud after Mr Hogg's, M.H.R., approval is secured, forwarded to the Minister of Justice ; and then bets are freely offered that Roache h cleared out in a few weeks. Fortunately, however, the temperate party are better organised thin of yore, and a counter petition signed BY ONE HUNDRED AND EIGHTY-SIX. RESIDENTS in favour of returning Constable Roache's services, follows the spiteful epistle of the Liquor Ring, and we opine that despite Mr Hogg's endorse, ment, the Minister of Justice win haidly dare in this case to submit the dictation of the lawbreakers. he does, although Mr Hogg is a thic and thin supporter of the Government, he will find that his supporters can be TOO DEARLY PURCHASED. I To-day the Temperance Party] throughout New Zealand are quite prepared to make Constable Roache's a test case. We have evidence that has been accumulating for years of the liquor domination of the police of this country. Some day or other the case must come to a head, the exposure be made, and the matter be thrashed out before the public, and perhaps it would be just as well that this should happen now. In Cautsrbury, in Otago, in Auckland, and Wellington, such EVIDENCE CAN BE ADDUCED as should fill the law-loving people of New Zealand with disgust and indignation. Whatever the issue of the Roache case may be, we suggest to our readers that this matter be strongly brought before the next Assembly, and Government be urged to appoint a

COMMISSION OF ENQUIRY, when we will undertake to satisfy the public mind as to whether our state' ments are wild salumnies, or based upon the most disgraceful tacts.