PROHIBITION IN THE KING COUNTRY.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 6121, 7 March 1898, Page 1

PROHIBITION IN THE KING COUNTRY.

• SPEECH BY MR LAWEY. [Per Press Association.] AUCKLAND, March 5. Mr Lawry, M.H.E., addressed a largelyattended meeting of Europeans and Maoris in the public hall, Otorohanga, on Friday. As the Native Land Court is nov? sitting at that place, the Natives present were composed of chiefs and representative?©!' tribes in all parts of the Eohepotae country. Mr John Ormsby was voted to the chair, and also acted as interpreter. Mr Lawry, on being introduced by the Chairman, was welcomed in Native style by the chief Taonui, who, in a lengthy address, pointed out two main grievances under which the Natives laboured, and which they earnestly desired to have removed. The first of these was the restrictions which prevented them dealing in an unfettered way with their own land, and the second was the trouble which had arisen, and which still obtains, regarding prohibition, which prevents the establishment of hotels in the Eohepotae or the King Country. Mr Hughes, a half-caste, endorsed the opinions of the previous speaker. Speaking • on the latter question ■Mr Lawry assured them that his visit had no general political significance. Ho had come in response to the invitation of some of his pakeha and Maori friends, and although the Prohibitionists would probably say that he came there as the representative and delegate of the Liquor Party he assured them that not a single person engaged in" the trade " had any knowledge of his visit. Under the circumstances neither of the members representing the district would consider his visit an interference. He was not there to advise them to break the law, unjust as it was, but. if they felt its injustice, as indicated by the previous speakers and as accepted by a large meeting, then they should oiganise, agitate for and demand its repeal, as it was wrong to violate the provisions of any law, and was a punishable offence ; but it was no crime to violate a statute which it was impossible not to break. It was none the less offensive to live under such a ban because primarily it was asked for by those who were now feeling the oppressive yoke. Further than this, whilst it was well known that the Natives, say at Tokaanu, Otaki and many other places, where hotels were accessible, are sober and law-abiding, the Natives in the King Country had been slandered and stigmatised as promoters of debauchery and drunken orgies. If they were true to their traditions they would take steps to disprove the injurious allegations and effectually wipe out the insult. He referred at some length to the Hon A. J. Cadnian's visit to Otorohanga, when Native Minister, and castigated that gentleman for not insisting upon effect being given to a promise he made, viz., to have a licensed house established in the King Country, and he ridiculed the idea of a Cabinet being dominated by the expressed opinions of a handful of mistaken zealots who* had no practical knowledge of the requirements of the people affected. After dealing with the importance of questions affecting the future^ tourist traffic, the accommodation that was increasingly required for commercial men, and scathingly denouncing the system used to obtain convictions, he urged upon them to demand the same privileges as those possessed by Natives and others in any other part of the colony. This could be affirmed or negatived if powers were given to test the whole question by the casting of a vote in favour of the establishment of hotels or remaining in statu quo. If they sent petitions no effect might be given to them, but if they held regular meetings at which resolutions were passed these would obtain consideration, and would likely have the desired effect. The chief Taonui thanked Mr Lawry for his address, and said his people agreed with the sentiments that were expressed, and steps should be taken to give them practical effect.