CLUB CHARTERS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 27027, 11 March 1949, Page 4

CLUB CHARTERS

KING COUNTRY EUROPEANS MAORIS REJECT RESTORATION Although the European residents of the King Country gave a clear verdict in the licensing poll in favour of ending the area’s Tong history of prohibition, the Maori vote against the proposal was sufficient to make it impossible to open hotels. However, the result does mean that it will be possible for club charters to be granted for club premises in any part of the King Country. For licensing to be carried in the King Country the proposal had to obtain the support of three-fifths of the votes at both the European and Maori polls. However, if the Maori vote showed that less than three-fifths were in favour of the proposal the King Country would remain a “dry area,” with club charters the only alternative.

The voters were also required to state their preference for or against trust control in the event of the licensing issue being carried. A bare majority would have been sufficient to decide this question had the majority of Maoris voted with the majority of Europeans. The Europeans in the area will now endeavour to secure drinking facilities through club charters. There is likely to be a good deal of delay, however, before decisions are reached. Club charter applications were formerly made to the Minister of Internal Affairs, but under the new Licensing Act the responsibility for the issue of charters rests with the Licensing Control Commission, which is not yet in existence. A chairman and two other members of the commission have to be appointed, and inquiries in official circles as to the progress made by Cabinet in considering the personnel of this important body suggest that it will be announced soon.