LICENSES IN THE KING COUNTRY.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume L, Issue 12245, 19 June 1909, Page 4

LICENSES IN THE KING COUNTRY.

TirE granting of a number of wholesale , liquor licenses in the King Country has, as was to be expected, provoked strong indignation throughout the Doniinibn, and the protests which have been, recorded must have served once again to convince "the trade" of its folly in attempting to pit itself against a growing .public opinion. / The "Lyttelton;Times," in an article dealing with the growth of the "no license "movement, after referring to the significant fact that majorities for the extinction of licenses were recorded at the last poll in no fewer than sixty electorates, says:—"ln face •of these figures there can be no question as to the vitality of the movement, and, as it happens, there are always incidents to keep the leaders busy and the enthusiasm of the rank and file at high pressure. Just now the party has an important and definite grievance in regard to'the King Country. The granting of licenses in the great 'dry' area was doubtless in accordance with the strict letter of the law, but it is regret^ table that so momentous an, issue should have been decided on a mere technicality^ We shall bear more of this-subject from the Convention, but it should not be left to private individuals to test the validity of the licensing committee's action. The granting of licenses in the King Country is so - opposed to the popular idea of the State's responsibilities in regard to the Native race that the Minister of Justice, should lose, no time in investigating the position and making an authoritative statement concerning it."