THE LIQUOR QUESTION.

Gisborne Times, Volume IX, Issue 908, 5 June 1903, Page 2

THE LIQUOR QUESTION.

MR CARROLL’S VIEWS,

HE WAS OPPOSED TO PROHIBITION.

In the course of his speech at the Theatre Itoyal on Tuesday evening Mr Carroll made lengthy reference tu tho question of sly grog selling in the Jung Country, lie said that they would all ag'Oo with him that opinions were very much divided on tho licensing question. There were thoso who favored trie trado and tho u e who were entirely lor prohibition. There were also those who woro for reforms. Jle had not been uncertain at all in his expression of opinion on this subject, and iic did not see why he should evade it now. Lie belonged to the parly that would bring about reforms, hut ho was not a prohibitionist, and he had always said so. There was no question that reforms were necessary. There were adjustments to be made and irregularities to be removed. There were large issues, which both sides would have t.o meet. Then there was the large question which was being considered at Home, namely, compensation. That would liavo to be dealt with. He thought that the licensing question would occasion a great struggle during tho session. There were two sides pitted together, and thero was apparently no hope of them coming togctlior. He was of opinion that tho good senso of tho country would solve this difficult matter i i a just and equitable way. In this matter ho was speaking for himself, and not for the Government. He was in favor of another system being tried in tho King Country. Liquor was not supposed to go thero ; but how could they prevent it ? People who travelled through the King Country would tell them that every man and woman was a perambulating liquor shop. Men working thero ordered groceries, etc., from the large centres, and it was astonishing how alcohol found its way into sealed packets. ft was a terriblo question to face, and one felt quite shocked that in any part of the colony the arm of the law should be at fault, and that the police should be powerless to prevent the law being evaded there. The nature of the country helped the evasion of the law. It was a hilly and forest country, and perhaps the roughest in the North Island. The configuration of tho country lent itself to human devices, and | persons were determined to set the law at naught. There was something in human nature, which was opposed to compulsion, and when one was told that he must not do such a thing he naturally objected, and immediately broke the law. The people of the King Country did not look upon slygrog selling as a crime at all. When a man was convicted of breaking the law he did not look upon himself as a criminal. He said “ I am glad I broke the law, but I am sorry I was found out.” They had got to satisfy the man’s mind that lie was not imposed upon by bis brother who was only advising him for his own welfare. They had to satisfy him that there

was a law there, and that he must not break it. They could do this, he believed, by moral suasion, more than ail the force they couid bring into the field. The King Country ought to be completely under the control of the Government, and tho Government ought to be responsible for any houses that might be permitted to sell refreshments to

travellers, and travellers only. By this means the private interest wa3 eliminated. Whoever was in charge as a public servant wa3 liable to lose his position any day if he lent himself to evasion of the law, or duplicity, or sold drink where he should not. The fact that he was in a Government position, and that he was there to comply with the law would result in a different state of affairs. It was worth a

trial at any rate in that part of the country. (Applause.) Anything would be better than the present condition of affairs—the freetrade which existed. He would do all he could to do away with the abuses under the present system. He would assist any movement- iu the direction of reforms. So far as his own people —the native race—were concerned, on every public platform he had attempted to advise them that drink was their enemy, and not their friend, and he was sure he had impressed many by talking to them kindiy on the evil consequences of over indulgence in alcohol. He was glad to say that throughout the colony there was a wave of temperance spreading over the native people, and it was increasing in volume, but he doubted if these results would be obtained if force were used they certainly would not get it in the King Country. (Applause.)