THE LIQUOR QUESTION.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VII, Issue 523, 4 December 1912, Page 4

THE LIQUOR QUESTION.

It is to be regretted that the public meeting called for Monday evening in connection with the conditions governing the liquor traffic of tha district was not more numerously attended. The question for discussion is of immense importance to the district, and certainly warrants full consideration by the public while the local member on the Licensing Bench very naturally desires to obtain the representative opinion of the dsitrict in bis efforts to induce the committee to support his request for an improvement in conditions. It is unfortunately the failing of many people to be unable to consider the question except from the partisan standpoint, and to :i certain section of the community any expedient in excusable in the attempt to place restrictions on the liquor traffic. The only desirable thing to these people is prohibition, and any means to achieve that end is pardonable. The meeting on Monday evening was in no way concerned with the merits or otherwise of the prohibition doctrine. The established custom of allowing the people to decide by vote whether or not they desire to have prohibition effectually removes the question from any ordinary discussion. The local people are intimately concerned only in the question whether they should be granted equal rights and privileges with the remainder of the Dominion, in all matters pertaining to the welfare of the community. The conceding of such an obviously reasonable demand can in no way affect the question of prohibition. If the voice of the people is considered a sufficiently good indication for other communities no harm can be done by applying the same principle to the King Country. The question which concerns us is not a mere party struggle between Alliance and Trade; it is an issue of infinitely greater importance and involves the principle of liberty upon which is based the whole fabric of our Government. It is to bo hoped the public in considering the matter will endeavour to free themselves from the minor considerations and confine their deliberations to the real issue.

In addition to ordinary sale of fowls, pigs, general merchand.se, and furniture, Mr Graham will ofi>r 2h choice rugs and mats on Saturday. Theee goods will be on view from tuday. At Messrs Green and Colebrook's a ' demonstration of cooking on Perfection stoves is now proceeding. The firm invite the public to have a cup of tea and scones during the afternoon. On Friday, the 6th inst., Mr Graham will hold his next Otorohanga mart sale, particulars of which appear in this issue. The usual monthly meeting of the Te Kuiti School Committee will be held to-morrow evening at the Chronicle office. All interested in the forthcoming Te Kuiti Flower Show, are reminded that entries close with the • secretary ou Monday, December 9th. Entry forms and schedules can be obtained from the secretary or from the Chronicle office. Only one Education Board (Auckland £46,768) spent more than Wanganui (£28,684) last year on school buildings, furniture, etc. Rainfall for Te Kuiti, November 1912:—November Ist, .03 inches, 3rd 1.16, 4th .22, sth .06, 6th .92, 7th .08 Bth .01, 9th .07, 10th .09, 13th 24, 14th.10, 25th .29, 26th 2.24, 27th .10, 28th .01, 29th .31; total 5.93 inches on 16 days; rainfall for November 1910 and 1911 was 4.37 inches on 13 days and 7.26 on 23 days respectively. The above figures are kindly supplied by Mr T. E. Foy. The railway traffic at Te Kuiti is | maintaining its volume and the station is now one of the busiest on the Main Trunk line. The timber and coal traffic is still great and has kept up remarkably throughout the winter. With the approach of summer there is already an increase in the goods traffic required for outback settlers. Last evening a very pleasant function was held to celebrate the approaching marriage or Mr Lumsden, of the local branch of the Bank of New Zealand. At the invitation of Messrs Aiken and Bryant, a large " number of Mr Lumsden's friends gathered together to honour the occasion. During the evening musical and vocal items were enjoyed and many eulogistic speeches made .With regard to the sterling qualities possessed by the guest of the evening. During the time Mr Lumsden has been in Te Kuiti he has made very many friends, and one and ail extend to him their best wishes for his future welfare. Mr W. Sandison ha 3 been elected chairman of the Ohura County Council for the ensuing term, defeating the last occupant of the chair, Mr G. Loveday. Mr Sandison has always taken a keen interest in county affairs, and worked extremely hard in getting the county established. He has represented his riding from the beginning and has a thorough grasp oi th» affairs of the district. He is eminentlv fitted for the portion to which he had been elected, and his accession to the chair is bound to meet with widespread approval. As ' a recognition of the great amount of time which Mr E. N. Grice devoted to bis work as chairman of the Kaitieke County Council during the past year, the council at its last meeting voted him an honorarium of £SO. In it 3 initial stages the county business required great care, and Mr Grice has been very successful in carrying its business through, so far, without a hitch. The money subscribed to "Tatter'sall's" sweeps on the Melbourne Cup this year totalled £175,000; Metropolitan. £75,000; and CaulfieH Cup, £SO 000. The Tasmanian Government reaps in stamp duties 5d in every £l, in addition to 5 per cent, dividend tax on prizes. This year the Tasmanian Government hi?s derived £58,750, and "Tattersall's" nearly £750,000 in commission, the total amount contributed by the public being £775,000. The merry month will be here in a trie. Then the Christmas spirit will prevail. Mrs MacDoanld advertises certain facts regarding Yuletide in this issue. Dairy farmers will be interested in the figures published in the Wairarapa Age disclosed as the result of last month's testing operations, carried i out under the supervision of the Mastefton Cow-testing Association. The average yield per cow for the association was 10721b of milk; test 3.6, butter fat 391b. In one herd the highest individual, yield was 17701b, test 32, butter fat 56.61b. and the lowest 6221b. test 3.8, butter fat 93 filb The test of three other herds *e r e:-Highest 12001b, 3.2 88.4. west 6601b, 3.4. 22.4; highest Sib, 4.0, 57.6, lowest 7951b, 3.0, 23 8- highest 13801b, 4.0, 55.2, lowest 12001b, 3.5, 42. A seizure of whisky, which had been introduced into the King Country in petrol cases, was made a day or two ago by Constable Flanagan, who is stationed at Mokau, Apparently recent actions in court have led more precautions being taken by beX grog men, and it is stated that the cases were smeared with blood and fleh scales, to render them as fittle like liquor cases as possible. In all nrobability the Persons concerned "in the matter will shortly be called upon to explain to the magistrate their share in the transaction. In many churches throughout New Zealand on next Sunday the Bible, -nS the need of restoring religious LacSngt State schools, will be the Sect of the sermons. In many towns Se Anglican, Presbyterian, Methodist and Salvation Army preachers have agreed to preach on the subject, and JfSe Kuiti the local ministers who na ve joined the Bible in State Schools' League, will not only do so, but lav members of the League will, aftheclose'ofthe services, take the names of those willing to support