MAORIS-AND DRINK

New Zealand Herald, Volume 82, Issue 25202, 15 May 1945, Page 7

MAORIS-AND DRINK

PEE SENT EESTEICTIONS OPPOSITION TO CHANGE Opposition to any alteration of the licensing laws to enable the Maori people to take liquor away from premises for consumption was expressed by George R. Hall, who said he was an elder of the Ngatiwanganui tribe, when giving evidence before the Royal Commission on licensing yesterday. He said he also considered the present restrictions 011 the King Country should be continued. Witness said a conference of Maori representatives held recently at Rotorua had passed' a resolution favouring equal treatment for the Maoris in regard to carrying liquor away for consumption. The resolution had stated that the present restrictions on the Maoris was racial discrimination and caused an inferiority complex among the native people. He disagreed with those views. The commission would have to decide which was the greater evil, the possibility of an inferiority complex, or permitting the Maoris to talve drink into their homes and pas. To Mr F. C. Spratt, representing the New Zealand Alliance, witness said he did not think the majority of the Maoris resented Cook Islanders and negroes being allowed to take drink off licensed premises. The Maoris realised the other people were only in New Zealand temporarily. Giving evidence later on behalf of several Auckland churches, the Rev. J. D. Smith said that a conference had stated that the Government should honour the compact with the Maori people regarding liquor in the King Country.