THE PREMIER AND THE PROHIBITIONISTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XL, Issue 12400, 13 October 1903, Page 6

THE PREMIER AND THE PROHIBITIONISTS.

TO THE: EDITOK. _ Sir,—ln last Saturday's issue, in your Wellington news, it was stated that in th© Premier's opinion "nothing will satisfy the prohibitionists.": In this he is wrong; they will be satisfied in just the same way that "the persons who have a right to be considered" will be, viz., "by having the laws observed that are in the best interests of the colony and its people." To which we might add, "and the passing of laws which are needed to further their best interests." Judged by these tests, how does the Premier stand? Let us look at two or three matters of public importance. The enforcement of the Licensing Act is a question in which the community as a whole is interested. Everybody knows, the Premier included, that for years past the police have asked for such amendment? to the Act as would give them power to deal effectively with the illegal sale of liquor after hours—the various commissioners of police, the recent Police Commission—and in this city it was urged upon the Government by the moderates, the prohibitionists, and the liquor party, yet the power has not been given. Why? Then look at the King Country. Years ago the Premier's heart bled at the state* of tilings there. It may be that the loss of that lifegiving force has unnerved the Premier ever since, otherwise how can we account for his stolid indifference to the continued scandalous state of things in that part of the colony? The Premier knows the opinion of the people on this matter, and yet he practically ties the hands, of the polioe and .magistrates. Again we ask, why? Of later proceedings— in Newtown, Bruce, etc.— can wo think of a Premier, a professed Liberal,'not blocking the majority of the people onlv, that would merit the strongest condemnation, but a three-fifths majority— the champion of tie people— their expressed will at the ballot-box. What inconsistency! Again we ask, why? Respecting the Premier's attitude, the country is getting sick of it." the revulsion of feeling is coming, and when it comes he who brought it about will know all about it. The autocratic tendency of the Premier appears to bo such that he fails to recognise that the people are the best judges of questions submitted to them at the ballotbox; when that will is declared then it should be the boimden duty of the Government in power to' give effect to it. It is because the very foundation of popular «*overnment is being shaken that true Liberals are becoming increasingly dissatisfied with the Premier. He may hold his own opinions as he has a right to do, but when he or any other party in power presume to try to thwart the peoples' will they are courting failure.— am, etc., R. HEWH B October 12, 1903. *bench.