LIQUOR IN KING COUNTRY

Waikato Times, Volume 124, Issue 20822, 5 June 1939, Page 6

LIQUOR IN KING COUNTRY

Strong comment by the Waitomo Licensing Committee on the liquor trade in the King Country has drawn attention to the urgent need for an inquiry and prompt action to improve the position. So serious has the problem of illegal liquor selling become that even many of those strongly opposed to license are urging a system of licensing. It is clearly evident that something should be done, and the sooner the authorities take action the better it will be for the King Country. It was mainly for the benefit of the Maori race that the King Country was proclaimed a “dry” area, but it is obvious to even the casual observer that evasion of the law is causing serious harm among the natives. Stringent though the regulations are, and vigilant as the police are in their attempts to enforce the law, it is well known that an extensive sly-grog business is carried on. Prosecutions and heavy fines have been monotonously frequent for years, but it is evident that the business is more flourishing than ever. Ways have been found of flouting the law by the conveyance of illicit liquor into the area, and where the trade is under the sway of smuggling there is no check upon the prices charged or upon the quality of the liquor supplied. The Licensing Committee is unanimous in its conviction that sly-grogging is demoralising a certain section of the young people, particularly Maoris. It feels that the time has arrived for a complete overhaul of the laws relating to the sale of liquor and that they should be brought into line with the laws of licensed districts. The committee agrees that the police are doing their duty —that is proved by 'the number of prosecutions—but that they are almost helpless against the illicit trade. Modern transport has made it difficult to control the conveyance of liquor. The best method of controlling the trade cun be decided if close inquiry is instituted, but that some action is necessary is amply demonstrated. The country owes it to the native race at least to clear away a danger spot, either by complete suppression of the illicit trade or by an effective method of control.