LIQUOR ON THE RAND.

Auckland Star, Volume XXX, Issue 29, 4 February 1899, Page 5 (Supplement)

LIQUOR ON THE RAND.

An interesting and somewhat serious phase of the temperance question is presented by the illicit traffic In drink among the native labourers on the Rand. Faction lights occur, in which the great violence of the combatants often leads to fatal results. The mine fight is, of course (observes the 'Financial News'), no new thing, but these encounters, appear to grow more and more bloodthirsty the more clearly the inability or unwillingness of thte police to interfere with the sale of drink becomes understood. One of the heads of the Rand mining industry, now in London, asked whether steps could not be taken to bring the traffic to an end. said people have been attracted to it by the large profits, and they have accordingly combined their capitals, and formed wealthy syndicates, whose duty it is to pay fines, square the police, and even tamper with legislators. The mining industry must bid against the liquor syndicates, and offer the police a higher price to do their duty, or the law will be of no use. The distilleries are, for the most part, ramshackle tin shanties, where fearful decoctions are turned out In the dirtiest manner conceivable. When an illicit liquor dealer is caught and convicted, ho must have the lash for the first, offence, more lash for the second, and scill more lash for the third.