ORIGINAL CORRESPONDENCE.

Otago Witness, Issue 570, 1 November 1862, Page 5

ORIGINAL CORRESPONDENCE.

THE LICENSING SYSTEM. (To the Editor of the Otaoo Witness.)

Sir, — I noticed some time ago the complaint of a publican at not being- protected against the ur.licensed vendor of spirits, and his narration of the personal hardships and sufferings thereby entailed on publicans.

But the public will not easily be led to commiserate with this class of men, and it" seems to me that the spirit of the law in legard to licensing is to protect the public, and not any privileged parties who have obtained licenses, altuoagii they receive that benefit by its operation.

But the fact is prominent that numerous are the sly grog-sellers. This clearly indicates a want in the community of more accommodation than the licensed houses afford.

ISow, tin; conclusion I should draw is, either that the licensing to sell liquors should be given up alto'gethe 1 ", or conLinued on a much more extended 1 scale, so that every one that cliose to do so could sell them ; or else, if a public uuisauce, or injury, or if opposed to the law of the land, all sly grog- sell iui should be put down effectually. But, even so, a latitude mu>t bo allowed in "new rushes," where every storekeeper almost sells liquors, aud, apparently, without any ill consequences.

It is true that lawyers are protected in their calling, which cau be shewn to be for the public good ; and so are medical men in theirs, in most civilized countries, which also is manifestly for the public good. This to the saving of lives, and that to the conservation of property aud private interests. But the system of licensing publicans seems to me open to improvement^ and that more in an extension than a restriction of its operation. Yours truly, J. De Courcy Young.

Junction, Tuapeka, 23rd October. 18G2.