THE DRINK TRAFFIC.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 1760, 27 May 1913, Page 4

THE DRINK TRAFFIC.

"A VOICE IN'TUB WILDERNESS (By ToleirraDh.—Sueolal OorrosDondent.) Auckland, May 20. In tho course of a "civio sermon" in St. Mary's Cathedral yesterday. Bishop Crossley dealt with the drink traffic. "Tlio morality of tho people of New Zealand," ho'said, "docs not depend on gaols, butr upon principles." Illustrating his point, ho said that no one coul<| deny that thero' i wag urgont need for reform in thef drink traffic. Ho had drawn attention to tho need for (-uch reform, and ho would continue to do so, although ho felt something like tho vof.ee crying in tho wilderness. There were those who would make tho selling of liquor £ crime. "I do not be-' lieve in the gaol method,"' said tho Bishop. "I acknowledge it is a euro, but I also believe it would bo a creator of untold evil on tlio national principles of our people. Let mo point out a better way." His Lordship then once more advocated tho open bar, so as to malco hotels houses of refreshment, whoro men could ■ 6tjind at tho counters openly, in tho 6ight of their fellow men. "If nil publio houses," ho continued, "were sheathed in light many of tho evils in connection with tho traffic would bv tho alterations that tlio proprietors would have to make ■ to their buildings carry out this W form,"

Tbo preacher also said ho would bo in favour of some system like tho Gotlienljprg system, under tho control of tho State. The Gothenberg system provided that food should he sold as well as drink. Tho manager, under tho system, got a heavy percentage on tho food and nonalcoholic drinks sold, but received no percentage upon tho salo of tho alcoholic beverages. This system had been tried with admirable success in England by tho Publichouso Company.