THE "PUBLIC" V. "PRIVATE" INTERESTS.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 7737, 17 April 1896, Page 2

THE "PUBLIC" V. "PRIVATE" INTERESTS.

[$O TIB EDETOE.]

Sib,—The spirit and essence of all British law is the "public good." In the recent application for a hotei license to sell intoxicating liquor, it was contended, by oounsel for the applicant that the proposed hotel would be a publio convenience, and was required. That contention utterly failed. On the other side, many persons of the highest repute, who ware not financially but morally interested, by their signatures, contended that the propoe.ad hotel was " not ■wanted," and would be a 6qgy contention, though very milaly set forth, was praotically sustained.

I hold that instead of the promoters ox this business being worthy of sympathy, they have proved they deserve none; tia they were utterly indifferent as to consequences, so long as they succeeded. It is high time for the people of Napier to sink all minor differences and unite in overthrowing government by " liquor interests." I hope that if it was ever true, that " votes could be obtained for beer," that stigma will no longer apply, and that the men of SJapier will hurl that ineult back on the haughty author of oo unworthy a public utteranoe. Ido cot regard Mr Ward as a competent teacher of public morals, or fit to teach anything..—l am, etc, Eefoeitbe

P. 9.—1 understood the "Liberal" Government look after the unemployed ; if that is so, Mt Ward naed not go into mourning over that part of the subject.