KING COUNTRY LIQUOR

New Zealand Herald, Volume LI, Issue 15664, 18 July 1914, Page 10

KING COUNTRY LIQUOR

RESTORATION URGED.

MUNICIPAL CONTROL.

SCIENCE AND SLY GROG. [by telegraph.—special CORRESPONDENT.] Wellington, Friday. The King Country liquor restrictions, and tho suggestions that they shmild be annulled and the sale of liquor in that area placed under municipal control, were again brought beforo tho Prime Minister to-day by a deputation, consisting of Messrs E. Martin, To Kuiti, J. Ormsby, Otorohanga, J. L. Short, Taumarunui, and A. H. Wilkie, Ohakune. Mr. C. K. Wilson, M.P., introduced the deputation.

Mr. Martin said that what the deputation desirod was an amendment of the proclamation at present governing tho admission of liquor into the King Country. Mr. Massey: Are you, as a lawyer, sure that an amendment of the proclamation would require to be made by legislation?

Mr. Martin: We know how the proclamation could bo amended, but even if it were amended we would still be in status quo. Wo suggest that the proclamation be cancelled, and that we should then have tho right of saying by vote whether we should have liquor in tho King Country either by tho institution of municipal control or the granting of ordinary licenses.

Mr. Massey: You want the same right to vote for license or no-license in the King Country as ordinary districts ha\e? Mr. Martin said that was so.

Mr. Massey: Do you want to be placed in tho same position as ordinary no-license districts are now in. Such districts in order to regain licenses must signify to that effect by a three-fifths majority. Is that the position you desire to be in? Mr. Martin said they would ho quite satisfied with that, but if they did secure tho three-fifths majority they wanted to get the licenses. Mr. Massey: That would require legislation. Municipal Control Suggested. Mr. Martin suggested that as the circumstances in the King Country are so unique municipal control could bo established if an effective vote of the people iu favour of the introduction of liquor were obtained. They were not directly opposed to prohibition, but they wished the matter to be decided by the vote of tho people. What was wanted was practically the Gothenberg system. Members of the deputation said that the bodies interested would be willing to take control. '' Tremendous Alterations. *' Mr. Massey: You are asking for a tremendous alteration in the policy of tho State in asking for municipal control. this is a matter upon which I could not possibly commit the Government. Mr. Wilkie said that at present it was a question of either open hotels or sly grog-shops. Mr. Martin suggested that if the proclamation could not be annulled, boroughs and town board districts might bo exempted. Mr. Massey: I would be inclined to go to tho whole length if we got the opportunity and licenses were granted in the King Country, of prohibiting the whole native race there. \

Mr. Oremby said that there was more abuse of liquor by natives in the- King Country than there was in, licensed areas. 1 I ■-»-. Unsatisfactory Position. Mr Massey said that the position: in, regard to liquor in the King Country was very unsatisfactory. He did not "think that anything could be worse than the present position. Those entrusted with the administration of the law there had told him that sly grog-selling had been reduced almtist to a science, and that it was very difficult to secure convictions. Ho would place the deputation's representations before the Cabinet. As far as the Licensing Bill itself was concerned it would go to the second reading debate in its present form. Any member would bo free to move amendments in .committee.