The Liquor Question.

Gisborne Times, Volume VI, Issue 260, 12 November 1901, Page 3

The Liquor Question.

(To the Editor of the Times.) Sir.,—ln your issue of Thursday “Young Mow Zealand " made a miserable attempt to reply to the remarks which I made in a previous letter regarding the injustice that hotelkeepers are subjected to in having to spend thousands of pounds upon buildings which are really not required, and which in the event of prohibition being carried, will be money thrown away. I contend, Sir, that if hotelkeepers nro compelled to spend several thousands on a building, they should be given a guarantee by the Government that their license will be safe for at. least ten years. “ Young New Zealand ” asks who compels the hotelkeepers to build these houses, and then further displays his ignorance 'of the law by expressing surprise that the business should be carried on in temporary premises whilst the house is being built. The Licensing Committee is ttie body that compels the publican to spends his thousands, and the Committee also insists on temporary premises being provided. I hope when the election comes round again that electors will pause and retleet on the situation, and consider the fact that the erection of the several hotels which they will then see around them meant a groat deal for the district, and gave employment to hundreds of men in this district. There are two sides to every questions, and “Young New Zealand seems to have only looked upon one. —I atn, etc., Fair Play.

(To the Editor of the Times.) Sir,—l have read a good deal in your columns lately upon tko liquor question, and I have a suggestion to make : Would it not be a good'idea each year for the Borough Council to sell the right to supply liquor to the town, and limit the number of vendorsjto say six or seven ? If this were done, I am sure that the Borough Council would almost double its revenue the first year, and the amount- received from the sale of the several licenses would be sufficient to give us as clean streets as they have in Napier. Any storekeeper who cared to embark in the trade could bid for a license, whilst some of our leading brewing firms throughout the colony would give a few hundred pounds for a good stand. This plan would be preferable to State control or freetrade, and would be a sure source of revenue for the Council. I commend the suggestion to ths members of the Council, —I am, etc., FRWi'CE.