STATE DRINK PROFITS

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 208, 28 May 1919, Page 7

STATE DRINK PROFITS

Whatever be its fate, the "Carlisle experiment" in liquor control will have left its mark on the social history of England as the first piece of constructive licensing reform undertaken with the prestige and authority of a Government Department. This is one of the conclusions of the general manager's report for 1918 to the Liquor Control Board. Tho experiment has shown, he says, that the liquor trade can be carried on, subject to reasonable regulations, without detriment to the well-being of the community, and without undue interference with the liberty, tastes, and preference of the largo mass of the adult population. "It has shown that tho transfer from private ownership to public control can bo carried through without undue friction and without loss to the national Exchequer. Above all, it has offered a new solutiou of tho problem of intemperance." Convictions for drunkenness in the Carlisle area fell from 275 in 1914 ,to 80 in 1918. The board have acquired five breweries and 279 licensed premises (of which 58 have been delicensed). In addition 47 other licenses have been suppressed. On the financial sido thero is a surplus of ,£107,392 for 1 the Exchequer, equal to 10 per cent, per annum on tho whole capital involved, apart from accumulated profits." . The total retnrn is 15 per cent, per annum. The capital involved, including accumulated profits, was in March, last ,£835,035.