LICENSE IN KING COUNTRY.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 3213, 28 June 1892, Page 2

LICENSE IN KING COUNTRY.

(by telegraph—press association). Wellington, Last Night. The Government having instructed Mr G. T. Wilkinsi'ii, Government Native Agent, to sound tbo natives as to the reasons (or their chance of view regarding the introduction of the liquor traffie into the King Country, Mr Wilkinson has seen the chiefs and reports by telegraph as follows :— " Ngatimaniapnto had a meeting here (Otorohanga) on Tuesday to consider the Premier's question as conveyed by telegram to them on Monday. The decision has been conveyed to the Hon. Mr Ballance by Wahnnui and Tekanawa, and it is in effect that when Rohepotae was formed they wished to prohibit the selling and leasing ot land and also the introduction of spirituous liquors, and stated at the titno that should they desire to have any of these restrictions removed it should bo done. Seeing therefore that laud selling has been allowed they have decided to allow the selling of liquor, but only at Otorohanga, and that more with a view of accommodating visitors and travellers than anything else. They considered it better it should be done openly and under the eye of the law than in a surreptitious way as at present. " Th& Premier has received a telegram from th& chiof to this effect.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir,—Re Mr Wm. Moon's letter in ifurae of 23rd inst., I trust his "surprise not unmixed with pain " has been pot over. As to the " assertions of such a disgusting nature, etc., etc.," I don't suppose for a moment, that Mr Gittos would make such ; notwithstanding that, had he given a true account of the state of affairs here at times ho would have had to mention matters decidedly unfit for publication. It is quite possible, and even likely, that Mr Gittos and friends would be inclined to exaggerate a little re drunkenness, Sunday trading, etc., but the fact remains, that at many times, the free and lax way in which drink is supplied to natives and Europeans alike, and the consequent scenes and annoyances, are a disgrace to any civilised community, and would lead one to imagine that our township were situated in Rime outlandish mining or bush district, And still we are nominally " under the eye of the law " as. your Alexandra correspondent suggested, that a licensed house at Otorohanga, would be, I assure you, Mr Editor, but the law, as carried out here puts little or no restriction on the sale of intoxicating liquors or on those intoxicated thereby.—Yours, etc, A non-Teetotal Resident. TO THE EDITOR. Sib,—Whilst admiring the motives actuating those who are condemning the proposal for licensing a house at Otorohanga, it seems to me that those advocating it notably the Chiefs Wahanui and Taonui know pretty well what they are about. It is only right to suppose that those people in other parts of the colony, who have been so much exercised over the matter, are under the happy delusion that intoxicants are not to be obtained in the King Country. These better acquainted with the subject know, that drink can be obtained, at a number of Maori shanties, and it is easy to imagine the class of vile stuff provided in this way. Those people not entirely carried away bytheir temperance views and' gifted with as little worldly wisdom realise perfectly well that this illicit traffic in the King Country caunot be stopped, if a demand for it exist. I am quite sure that it does exist, and under these circumstances it is far better to place the sale of intoxicants upon such a footing that it can be regulated. The holder of the license in his own protection will aid the law m suppressing the sly gro(j selling business. As regards the statement made at the late meeting at Te Awaimita is concerned, I don't suppose the 1200 native people referred to have ever been consulted or bother their heads about the matter. If a substantial majority of the natives likely to be affected by the granting of a license at. Otorohanga can be got to decide against itsi issue, put a stopper on it. But in any casg unless this country is going to continue locked i>p it will be but a question of a littlo time when this, and let us bopen/ a ny other licensed houses, will bs established and properly conducted in tha Kin Country,—l am, etc., Modebation.