LIQUOR IN THE KING COUNTRY.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXXXII, Issue 193, 4 September 1900, Page 3

LIQUOR IN THE KING COUNTRY.

-namve chiefs ask for licenses. Important statement by the " PREMIER. [PEE PRESS ASSOCIATION.] Wellington, September 3, A deputation consisting of chiefs and leading natives of the King Country waited 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, who had been guilty of sly-grog selling, had been imprisoned for doing so, and that the consumption of liquor had been on the increase for years. They also said that the fact that liquor was a forbidden fruit was a great incentive to young , people to indulge. The Kev. F. W. Isitt, who "was invited by the Premier to interrogate "the speakers, asked Kahu. the brother of Wahanui, if the latter had not, before his death, requested the Rev. 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 time before his death. Mr. Seddon said it was a very responv sible question for the Government to deal with. He confessed that at one time he 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 parts 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 thought it would be more likely to be attained by the issue of licenses. He would not act hastily in the matter, however, so that those who believed in prohibition might have an opportunity of stating their views upon the subject. He had in his mind an idea of appointing a commission, composed of men who would have the confidence of all , parties, to inquire into the matter, and , so fortify the Government in any action , it might take. In any case, he did not approve of granting licenses in the King Country on the same principle as , licenses were granted, in other parts of the colony, .where 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 gererally.