THE PROTEST.

Auckland Star, Volume XX, Issue 288, 4 December 1889, Page 2

THE PROTEST.

(To the Editor.)

JS;b, —I wa9 pleased to read your approval of the protest being entered ajjainst the introduction of liquor into the railway refreshment; rooms, especially against the sale after hours that licensed houses are allowed to sell. If my memory serves me, some of ■cur Auckland members have the doubtful honour of voting in favour of the insertion of that clause in the Government Railway Commissioners' Act, 1887. Ib will be a thousand pities if, owing to the. apathy of the public, these facilities for obtaining alcoholic liquors are permitted to be open Until a quarter to 12 every evening (close on 1 a.m. on Sunday morning), and a large portion of Sunday. A question here arises, whab steps can be takefi 6o prevent Parliament suddenly ovoi- ,- riding established law ? Wβ evidently need come safeguaid like the States of the American Union have. A similar thing occurred in the St. Helier'a Bay case.

Vv'hat are the Licensed Victuallers doing? What are the clergy doing? Natnralljj <re might have expected they would have been on the alert. Their united protest, supported as it would havo been by their congregations, would have afforded material help to the protests that are boingr made. It ie high timo these Commissioners were with and the Government that Sold the Parliament by appointing them *ent Ed political limbo. Rumour says they are building a special tarriage or two for Lord Onslow that's a fiide piece of extravagance for the suffering, taxpayer to pay for. As Lord Onslow m ill liot require the carriage very often it will Come in handy for the Lord High Commissioners when they visit the Auckland linos. tVhat will move the New Zealand taxpayers to shake off their political apathy ? Again thanking you for your leader of last iiight,—l remain, etc., Southern Cross.