ARE PUBLICANS JUSTLY TREATED?

Press, Volume LX, Issue 11493, 28 January 1903, Page 5

ARE PUBLICANS JUSTLY TREATED?

TO THE KDITOK OP THE TRESS. Sir, —In fairness to the publicans, admitting at the same time there _are men who should not hold ;i license, but you must confess they are not all alike. Being a publican's wife I have taken a great interest, in the charaou-r of the extreme drinker, and must say that a licensee has the power to gieatly improve ithe cliaracter of the drunkard, and tv assist to cultivate tho will-power with tact and kindness, but not single handed. 1 have seen men come in a wretched state o! drunkenness, and their companions, who have been told not to ask them to have any more drink, after hearing the publican refuse have secretly gi%-en 'it to them, not in anyway pitying their weak minds. I have also seen cases where it has been actually poured down the victim's throat outside the hotel unknown to tlie landlord. I was told by an influential gentleman that an hotel was what we made it, a home or otherwise. It is a, home for the travelling 'public, who should help to keep order. It is not at all times tlie law is broken by the publican alone, but often br the pufalir.'. Knowing the grave position a' publican stands in, I think myself if an action was taken against those who tempt the licen-see to break the law, it would put the trade on a better footing. -The publican who aots too strictly finds many enemies. I would like to know if on honest man can make a living undter the present existing licensing law, if the public are nob liable for the law being broken. Furthermore, I shoudd like to know why parents are not made responsible, 'for s*nding children under age to obtain drink?--Yours, etc., TRUTH .STRANGER THAN FICTION.