THE PRICE OF NOBBLERS.

Dunstan Times, Issue 316, 15 May 1868, Page 3

THE PRICE OF NOBBLERS.

TO TM'K EDITOR OF THE DUNSTAN' TIMES. Sir,—lt is now some six weeks since the price of drinks was reduced to six-pence at Alexandra, yet, up to the present time the publicans of Clyde give no sigu of any re duction. It remains then for the inhabitants of the district to take the matter in hand, and demand the nobbier at a lower rate, or abstain from patrouising any hotel until a reduction be made. This is what was done at Alexandra with the most signal success; and a similar result would follow at Clyde were even a majority of those who frequent the township to act the same. I have heard an argument frequently advanced of late that, with a reduced price for nobblers, several of the public-houses will have to close. Well, suppose such a calamity was to occur that half the hotels at Clyde were closed to-morrow, would the town suffer by it ? Would the mining community be less prosperous ? Certainly not. There is not an interest, trade, of tprofession but what would be largely the gainer especially the miner, as were there fewer public-houses there would not be that temptation to drink as exists at present; the time frittered away in the township would be spent at work, the money so earned would circulate through the district, and every-one would be benefitted. Experience has shown, and it can be demonstrated by stubborn facts, that men drink in proportion to the facilities they have for obtaining it ; in other words, increase the number of public-houses, and you increase drunkenness. The evidence given before a Committee of the House of Assembly in Victoria was conclusive on this point, and I am astonished that those connected with the temperance cause at Alexandra have never viewed the matter in this light. The best way to keep men sober and make them useful members of society, is to induce them to avoid temptation, and the easiest way to achieve such a happy result is to bring down the price of drink. Many of the houses will then have to close, and it can be safely predicted that, with less inducements to drink, men would care less for it. And now a final v ord to the Bonifaces of Clyde. Do you think, gentlemen, that the present extortion can be maintained ? Do you think that, because you have hitherto ruled the roast, you will be enabled to do so for the future ? Do you think that, because the community about Clyde is nil (vide the Goldfields Commission) you can resist the' reduction ? Do you think that the public'will consent much longer to be fleeced by men who have nothing better to do that stand at their doors and gape at every passer by ? If you think any of these things, gentlemen, Ido not; for lam certain that, whether some of you have to close your establishments or not, the price of nobblers which rules at Alevandra must also rule at Clyde. I am, &c., DISQUE. Clyde, May 11, 1808.