CLUB CHARTERS FOR MAORIS IN KING COUNTRY

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 22890, 9 March 1949, Page 8

CLUB CHARTERS FOR MAORIS IN KING COUNTRY

(P.A.) WELLINGTON, Mar. 8. Maoris in the King Country may be granted club charters by the Licensing Control Commission regardless of the result of the Maori vote on the issue to be decided in that area in conjunction with the licensing poll tomorrow. Advice to his effect has been given by the Minister of Justice, Mr. H. G. K. Mason, to the Tuwharetoa Tribal Committee.

In response to inquiries by the committee, Mr. Mason lelegrapned as follows:

“All'the special restrictions affecting Maoris rormerly contained in the incensing Act have already been repealed ior the whole of New Zealand, me King Country restrictions are restrictions that apply to Maoris and pakena alike.

“After the poll the result, whatever it may be, will apply to Maoris and pakena alike. In a subsequent exchange of telegrams the committee stated that Mr. mason's telegram was being widely circulated among lae Maori population as meaning that if the Europeans voted -wef and tne Maoris “dry“ the Maoris would, nevertheless, be entitled to cnartcred clubs and to be served in European cnartered clubs. That was correct, replied the Minister Hut ne added: “xt is understood tnat the European vote must be carried bv a three-tilths majority, fhat it is left to tne discretion of tne commission as to what club licenses it grants, and that only club members and t> their guests can obtain liquor at clubs.