SLY GROG-SELLING.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 235, 27 June 1908, Page 10

SLY GROG-SELLING.

HOW TO PREVENT IT. SIR WILLIAM RUSSELL'S METHOD. Referring ,to tho sly grog-selling case at Invorcargill, the Lyttelton ■ ''Times" remarks i—The telegraphed report does - . not explain how ths police camo to allow the defendants to • establish an oxtensive illicit trade under their very noses without taking earlier action. To dispose of 300 or 400 gallons of beer and 2CO or 300 cases of whisky every month they . would requiro to servo 200 or, 300 customers every day of tlio week,. and it would bo absurd to contend that such a number of people would keep tho traders secret. Wo are inclined to think that there would bo a great deal loss sly grog-selling in prohibit-'"* districts if tho .'present Minister for Justice would adopt a very simple plan tlmt was ■ employed J>y Sir William Russell when ho wts 111 charge of the Police Department. - Sir '■'< William : .explained this plan when ho was speaking 'on the motion for thi spcond rouling'of the Alcoholic Liquors Sale ,Control Bill in 1893. "A tunnel was being made near . 1 Reeftoiij" ho, said,-'"and" I-was pestered by deputations, by letters,' and I may say by members of; Parliament with' requests that I' would stretch my powers as Minister and give a special .license for' tho small aggregation of peoplo engaged in tho construction of that tunnel. 1 refused to do so. I wai told that it was impossiblo to put down sly, ■' grog-selling. The inspector was communicated with, and lio said it was impossible to put down the sly grog-selling which was known to prevail everywhere: in tho locality. ■ I was'not afraid of a certain amount of "odium or responsibility. I turned'"down tho comor of the official letter and minuted this: That if there were not convictions at once , I would change the inspector and police officers. There wero, nine convictions within a month, and if. wo lind tho courage to'execute the law wo • could make' tho licensing law effective." If Mr. M'Gowan, continues the."Times," would make it. quite plaiu to aHi tho' members of: the police force from the , Commissioner .dowirto' tho latest'recruit that\ tho law had to be enforced without respect to .persons or''property,;'wo should, very'.soon hear tho last ,of sly grog-selling as«V prevalent offence in tho community,. We can 1 ' almost wish that Sir William Russell were iii.office again to' show tlio authorities that it is only a : little honest.vigorous.administra- ' , tion that is to 'make the law effcoi tive. Sir William ''complained , fifteen'.-yearn >'. ago-that the spirit of the country' was not behind the police in the execution of their '• ! duty, but'he nould. hardly make that.'com- ' plaint now.!. There aro/differences of opinion' concerning 'the .advantages' of: No-License, "■ but there o.ro none.' concerning, the import .' anco of maintaining the law. : . 1 v. - : •... - ' | : : Nowadays, wo must, not- drink: spirits, , nor ' eat meat; _we ,must not-smoko; the. air of I.cities is poisonous, tho air of the country too ... strong;, the lights > ruin ,our; eyes, and tho noise: racks our nerves; shaking hands is a ,' means-of collecting microbes, and kissing is pure suicide.';. '■ Life , is, indeed,' growing dull • and difficult.—J'-Diario," Madrid. ;*■,;■