LIQUOR FOR KING COUNTRY

Press, Volume LXXXI, Issue 24614, 10 July 1945, Page 6

LIQUOR FOR KING COUNTRY

SCHEME PUT BEFORE COMMISSION PROHIBITION FAVOURED BY SOME WITNESSES (p - A .) TE KUIII, July 9. Ti/nbef 6 me ,i pl i esenled b y Mr Matthew Wilks for all local bodies and a large number of institutions of the central and southern King Country, for the granting of community-controlled licences was the chief feature of the King Country sitting of the xloyal Commission on Licensing. Under the scheme, provision is made * or con * r ol board of seven elected members, one by the Ms oris, with a Magistrate as chairman, the profits to go to district objectives of local bodies. The Mayor of Te Kuiti (Mr K. W. Low; and the chairman of the Waitomo County (Mr W. A. Lee) both favoured a referendum and community control, and emphasised that since the p:ct was signed in 1884 the position had changed completely from that envisaged. In Maori territory, up to 1900, the numbers of Europeans were negligible, but now the Maoris were only 14.12 per cent, of the adult population, against 25 per cent, in the licensed Bay of Plenty-Rotorua area. Much evidence was produced to support the contention that the necessity to purchase in bulk led to bulk consumption amongst Maori and pakeha alike, both in the northern and the southern King Country. A spokesman for 12 principal V7aimarino chiefs. Mr Samuel Arahanga. held that no-licence was rn utter failure, and urged licences for Waimarino, as a non-signatory to the pact, to be treated separately. Mrs R. Wright, representing church and other organisations, held that a majority of the Waimarino Maoris favoured the status quo in the north. Mr Pei Jones advocated straight Prohibition, with a rider that in the event of licences being granted, the Maoris receive half the profits. The chairman of the Maniapbto-Wai-kato Maoris’ Council (Mr Tita Wetere) held that this' suggestion was mischievous. He advocated a continuance of no-licence, with stronger enforcement. Sergeant E. A. Gatehouse, a police witness, was of the opinion that it would be better if proclaimed and nolicence areas were abolished. There was only one sly-grog suspect in Te Kuiti, and little direct complaint of drinking among the Maoris.