THE MAORIS AND THE DRINK TRAFFIC.

White Ribbon, Volume 14, Issue 150, 15 November 1907, Page 7

THE MAORIS AND THE DRINK TRAFFIC.

In a letter which appears on another page, .Miss Hera Stirling voices a feeling that is steadily growing among the educated members of the Maori race. They see the havoc which the drink is making among their fellows through the agency of unscrupulous white men, and naturally feel that they should have the right to record their vote against tin* traffic. They see the members of other dark skinned races

negroes, foreigners recording their votes, while they, the original owners of flu cojmtry. are debarred from a like privilege. Of course, to give all Maoris votes would, in many districts, simply be playing into the hands of the liipior dealers, and sanctioning the wholesale ruin of this easily-moved people. The protection of native races is one of the main planks in the platform of tem-

peranee reformers. The right solution of the problem it is not easy to see. Certainly the ipiestion is one that merits the most careful consideration of Maori students and legislators, ami their pakelia friends.