FEDERAL CAPITAL

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 19177, 7 December 1927, Page 14

FEDERAL CAPITAL

THE LIQUOR PROBLEM.

GILBERTIAN SITUATION. (KtdH OT7B OWX CORRESPOtfDEJCT.) SYDNEY, November 27.

The standing joke at the Federal Capital is its liquor problem. Those, of course,* who enjoy the joke with especial zest are the people who, despite the bone-dry laws there, always seem to be able to slake their thirst and that of their friends without going outside the territory. As the problem becomes more baffling every day, it is obvious that the Federal Government will have to tackle it seriously before long. One cannot buy liquor in the territory, certainly not lawfully, but as there is no restriction on the quantity of liquor which may be brought into it, many persons purchase more than they need, which often leads to immoderate indulgence, to put it politely. The position is Gilbertian. Within nine miles of Canberra, along a road which, for its smoothnes, is the joy of motorists, and in the little town of Queanbeyan, which, like the violet, would have blushed unseen but for the establishment of the capital at Canberra, there are hotels and to spare. The effect of the no-license provision in the capital territory has simply been to foster a disproportionate develojpment of bar trade in those hotels, the values of which have, of oourse, risen enormously. The large weekly and even daily exodus to Queanbeyan has another effect which is causing many long business faces at Canberra. It takes away a great deal of the general shopping business which would, ordinarily, be transacted in the capital. The conclusion of the Commission which controls the territory is that the no-license laws have not only not lessened intemperance, but have led to the opposite effect. The Federal Government is now being urged to adopt definitely either complete Prohibition, or a scheme of Government control similar to the Gothenburg system, which eliminates private profit and which does not allow the publican to wax fat on pre';is, but allows him merely a salary, without any inducement, from motives of self-interest, to violate the liquor laws.