"CITIES OF REFUGE."

Evening Post, Volume XXI, Issue 143, 21 June 1881, Page 2

"CITIES OF REFUGE."

TO THE EDITOR OF THK EVENING POST. Sib — Many a man who is noithor a teoto* tailor, Good Templar, nor a fanatic, will re* joico at the victory obtained last Friday night by those who through good report and bad report have been steadily battling for the cause of temperance. They havo planted the banner on a height on which it has never before floated in British territory, and if their action is not reversed they have given to New Zealand the proud distinction of scouring to tho people the power of r»ally making their will felt as to the extent to which the sale of intoxicating drink may be permitted or prevented among them. It may seem un wise, in the circumstances, to suggest anything that may savour of pushing matters to extremes, but I venture to submit a suggestion that can do no violence either to tho rights of property or personal freedom, but which may be fraught with results to the caufo of temperance and human happiness, not second to those likely to result from this perfecting "of the principle of Local Option. It is well known that there are largo area^of territory, especially in the North Island, destined yet to bo the homes of millions of settlors, which have not advanced so far in civilisation as to be lighted up with publicans' lamps. It is as well known that the great majority of the principal Maori ohiefd and people deplore tho havoc that spirituous drinks are making among their race, and would gladly aid in doing anything to prevent being brought in contact with what is to them a destroying angel. Is it nut possible to givo them the power of making a last effort to save a remnant of their people from destruction, while eonferriog an unspeakable blessing on each Europeans as may desire to settle among them ? There, no vested interests in the Bale of intoxicating drink* have yet been created, and the cry for compenaation cannot be raised on attempts being mad-i to prohibit licenses for pubhohotrte^. Would there be any violation of private or public rights in permitting those of them who wish it to draw a cordon around their several blocks, and to impose on areas of land which are entirely their own tho condition that no licenses for the sale of intoxicating drink* shall ever be granted there ? Wonld it not be competent for tho Legislatures to enable them to have such condition affixed on the alienation of such block*, whether by sale or leaso? If it ia said that such a restriction would deteriorate • the value of such property and prevent the natives from obtaining its proper price, let the owners be themselves th« judges of that, and, if they wish it, there can be nobody else that has any right to complain. If anyone deßires to live surrounded by the comforts of the publiohouso and its concomitants, there is nothing to compel him purchasing there. There are millions and millions of other acres throughout New Zealand whero he can enjoy thosa blessings and benefits unim« paired. And if he purchases lands or town* ship lots in tho protected country, he does so with his oyea open, and well knowing that his eai-3 can noyer be gladdened with the sound of the midnight revel, or his eyes brighten at the sight ot the wan and haggard wives and children that tell tha drunkard's home. I can from personal knowledge state that such a power of imposing prohibition on the salo ol intoxicating drinks for ever in the lands at present owned by them, would be hailed with satisfaction by many of the chiefs and people in one district of this island ; and I confidently state respecting a very large area of land approaching to a million of acres, which may shortly be opened for settlement, that if such a power is given by legislation, thero is not a block of it that may not, by the present Maori owners, be made a refuge where the tempest-tost victitnt of the demon of drink may for all timo find a haven of peace. Sir, I am not a Good Templar, a teetotaller,

nor a fanatic. I take my little tipple, and I like it, and I mean to take it while I can. It has nevor dono me harm, and I am sure it never will. But I have seen the strong man bow his head and weep bitter tears of agony and shame, as the thought of the wretchedness he was causing waa brought homo to hia heart ; and I have aeon him rise from the same chair on which ho sat and wept, and go atraight to the public-house, from which he ataggered home to repeat the scenes over which his own heart had been breaking. For Buch as this, and there aro hundreds of thousands of them, there ia no possible escape; but in a place whoro intoxicating drink is beyond the reach. And would it not bo a proud thing for this young and rising nation if it were known throughout tho world that, through tho philanthropic action of tho original owners of tho soil, there is there a wide territory capable of sustaining not merely a large farming population, but towna of such extent that men of every professionlawyers, doctors, clerka, artisans— can carry on their several profesaions, in absolute freedom from that destroyer which annually slays its tons of thousands, causing more human wretchedness than all other ills together by which civilization is cursed. I confidently assert that such a boon is at the present time attainable, and I would respectfully but earnestly urge, not merely on the temperance party in the House, but on all those whose hearts can feel for the misery of their fellow creatnrea, to give the matter their attention. Such a clause as tho following added to the Licencing Bill at present betore the Houao would meet the case : — " And be it enacted that it Ehall be lawful for the Governor, with the advice and coneont of his Ministers, on the application of the owners of any block or area of land on which no license for the sale of intoxicating drinkß has been hitherto granted, by proclamation, to declare that no license for the Bale of Bnch liquors, whether wholesale or retail, shall be granted within such area until such time as thia proclamation may be removed by Act of this Aasombly ; and that Bach restriction, until removed as aforesaid, shall attach to such land notwithstanding any subsequent change or changes of ownership." Thanking you for your kindness in affording me so much Bpaco, I am, &c,