PROHIBITION IN THE KING COUNTRY.

Otago Witness, Issue 2425, 5 September 1900, Page 43

PROHIBITION IN THE KING COUNTRY.

DEPUTATION TO THE PREMIER

WELLINGTON, September 3,

A deputation consisting of chiefs and leading Natives of the King Country wailed on the Premier to-day, and urged that licenses be granted for the sale of liquor there. They stated that no good had* resulted from prohibiting the sale of liquor, and that a large number of Natives and Europeans iiad been guilty of sly grogselling, and had been imprisoned for doing so, and that the consumption of liquor had been on the increase for years. It was also said that the fact that ' liquor was a forbidden fruit was a great incentive to young people to indulge.

The Eev. F. W. Isitt (invited by the Premier to interrogate the speakers) asked Kahu, a brother of Wahanui, if the latter had not before his death requested the Rev. W. Gittos to undo the injury he had done in revoking his approval of prohibition in the King Country. Kahu said Wahanui was insane for some lime before his death.

Mr Seddon said it was a very responsible question for the Government to deal with. He confessed that at one time lie thought prohibition was the wisest thing for the King Country, but experience had proved that it was impossible to prevent, either in the King Country or other ports of the colony, illicit traffic in liquor, with all its attendant evils. He was very desirous of preserving the Native race from the evils of drink, and that -noiild be more likely lo bs attained by the issue of license*. "He would not ret hastily in the matter, however, so that those who believed in prohibition miarht have an opportunity or stating their views upon the subject. He had :n his mind an idea of appointing a commission composed of men who would have the confidence of all parlies lo inquire into the matter, and so forbify the i-overnmenl in any action it might take. In any ca.^e, he did not approve of granting licenses in the King Country on ths same principle as licences were granted in other parts of the colony. Local bodies were interested in the revenue from the issue of licenses, therefore he would not give them the power of control. If licenses were granted it would be upon such conditions as would protect the Natives and properly control the traffic generally.