LOCAL OPTION IN NEW ZEALAND.

Evening Star, Issue 11454, 23 January 1901, Page 4

LOCAL OPTION IN NEW ZEALAND.

INTERVIEW WITH MR A. SHERWELI* [From the 'Daily Chronicle.'] The temperance problem and its bearing on social reform confronts every portion of the Empire—those living beneath the Southern Cross equally with those beneath the Great Bear. Amid the conflict of opinion, sober-minded Englishmen ask for facts before agreeing to any proposed aoW tion of the difficulty in England. Mr Joseph Rowntree and Mr Arthur Sherwell, in their joint work on the subject, which in twenty months has passed into eight editions, have set temperance reformers by the ears by declaring Prohibition to be'a failure in America. Sir Wilfrid Lawson, according to his comments in the ' Daily Chronicle' of November 21 upon Lord William Cecil's sermon in St. Paul's Cathedral, believes, on the other hand, that even England would not stand freetrade m liquor. But has local option— roseate de-. scriptions of which have reached us from New Zealancl—been really more successful than Prohibition? To pursue this inquiry along-the lines of getting at facts rather than theories was the purpose of a visit which Mr Arthur Sherwell paid to our southern colony this last summer, and from which ho has just returned. A 'Dallv Chronicle' representative had a talk'with him concerning his visit. "What were your predominant impressions in New Zealand?" was the first question put. " Why. the exceeding sparseness of population," was the reply. " New Zealand has only seven persons to the square mile, as compared with 540 in England and Wales; only 25 per. cent, of her population live in towns, as compared with our 70 per cent. Obviously, therefore, in the matter of local option there is no fair analogy between the two countries. I was also impressed with the strength of the temperance sentiment, and I am inclined to think it is second only to that in Canada." "How far has local option progressed amongst them?' " Since 1893 the law has provided that there shall be triennial voting on this subject. Then those men or women who are over twenty-one may vote either for the continuance of the traffic, or for the reduction of the number of licensed premises, or for their total prohibition. For continuance or reduction a majority of votes is sufficient,- for total Prohibition a three-fifths majority is demanded. Three of these elections have taken place. In the first, only one district, Chitha, carried no license. In the second the requisite majority was nob secured in any district; even Clutha, through some manoeuvring with the boundaries, failed to get the three-fifths majority. The third and Lost election took place in December in 1899, and twelve districts gave an absolute majority for Prohibition, but Clutha alone presented the necesary three-fifths. "So much for history; now for the outlook. At present Prohibition in New Zealand is in a critical condition, as two daysbefore I left' the colony Mr Seddon, the Premier, gave notice of his intention to introduce a Bill substituting a colonial or national option for local option—a most mischievous proposal, actuated by political expediency. From one point of "view it is exceedingly astute, for it aims at making the Prohibitionists hoist with their own' petard. There can be no doubt that with a growing moral sentiment a number of' small places would presently avail themselves of the powers of local veto. There can be no doubt that in the development of the political side of the problem in New Zealand the moral is in danger of losings ground. It is recognised that in the present state of public sentiment on the question, national Prohibition is impossible, so that the only effect of substituting national -!ption for local option—where the progressive views of one district would be over-ruled by the conservatism of another—would be to put back the hanas of the clock.

" But," continued Mr Sherwcll, "the pro-, blem has yet other aspects in New Zealand. The Temperance party is much concerned.] by a proposal to abolish Prohibition in lhe ! King Country, a district which-represents one of the chief reserves of the Maoris. About 1886 there is no doubt an understanding was arrived at between the Government of the day and the Maori chiefs that no facilities for the sale of liquor should fce granted in the district. But since then the place has been opened to railway enterprise, there has been a considerable immigration of whites, and the natives themselves have been strongly petitioning .tor licensing facilities to be granted. "In the matter of licensing clubs the. New Zealanders are distinctly ahead of ufl. No club can serve alcoholic liquors withouta special charter, to be obtained from 'Jjo Secretary of the Colony, for which £5 ischarged. These are rarely granted. It is said there has been no new charter granted since 1893." " Then, what is your general conclusion; on the whole matter?" was the next question. "That any ultimate scheme of reform must include proposals for the public management of the traffic in those areas where the veto is impracticable—that is, in the urban districts —-that it shall be under the direct supervision' of the central Government, and only within clearly defined statutory limits. As to England, both Sir'; Rowntree and myself are strongly agreed' that all schools of temperance reformers 1 should unite in supporting legislation *upoa' the lines of Lord "Peel's Tepot, though his* proposals are purely preliminary and ten'ta-' tive. Long before tbe expiration of thai time limit temperance reformers will be con»' jtemplating more comprehensive scheme* that must supplement Ifljs poposals."