State Liquor Monopoly.

Gisborne Times, Volume VI, Issue 173, 2 August 1901, Page 1

State Liquor Monopoly.

Russia is trying the experiment of a State liquor monopoly in the Eastern provinces, the system being gradually extended. The results up to date are thus described by the Minister of Finance

Now that four years have passed since the monopoly was put in force in the eastern provinces, and two and a half years Jince it came into operation in the vast regions of the south and south-west, it is permissible to express a judgment on its moral and economic effects, and to present some data for estimating its financial results. . . . The better quality of the brandy, the considerable reduction in the number of places of sale, the establishment of uniform prices strictly proportionate to the quantity sold, the impossibility of obtaining alcoholic liquors except for ready money -all these advantages, and others which are brought about by the rectification and sale of spirits under the care of the State, have already practically demonstrated their happy influence. Drunkenness has perceptibly diminished, debauchery with its inevitable consequences has given place to a more regular use of alcohol, offences and crimes provoked by drunkenness have become rarer. Nor has the usefulness of the reform been limited to the preservation of health and good morals ; it exercises a salutary effect upon the material resources of the people. The economic progress is confirmed both by the increase of the fiscal receipts and by the inflow of deposits to the savings banks, a double phenomenon which is to he observed in the four eastern provinces since the new regulations as to spirituous liquors have been in force there. . . . Certain details of the reform have as yet been simply indicated; others must be remoulded and completed; the whole needs attentive managements Nevertheless this vast enterprise rests henceforward on a rational basis.