Hawke's Bay Times. Nullius addictus jurare in verba magistri. SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 1872.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume 19, Issue 1251, 17 February 1872, Page 2

Hawke's Bay Times. Nullius addictus jurare in verba magistri. SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 1872.

One of the most striking signs of the times in connection with the progress pf the prohibition movement in Great Britain is the remarkable readiness with which people of all classes, and fiom all paiUs of the country, have responded tQ the appeal of the United Kingdom for the guarantee fund of .£IOO,OOO, to be devoted to the furtherance of the objects of the Association during the next five years. At the time of the last mail leaving England, fully three fourths of that sum, or pver £75,000, had been already pro niised, and it was confidently anticipated that previous to the meeting of Parliament the whole fund would be guaranteed. Should such be the case —and there was no reason to suppose £he contrary —the hands of the champion of the grand alliance would be greatly strengthened in the House; and though it would perhaps be too much to, expect that his efforts will be crowned with success during the next session, there can be no doubt that the assertion of the great principle embodied in the fermissive Bill—the right of each community to decide for themselves on the question of the sale pf drink amongst them—will be concedeci in any measure that the Parliament niay pass. It has in fact at length been brought home to the British Government that no more time must be lost in evading the question pf licensing reform, and dealing with the trade in intoxicants. Tt is also no |ess clear that no measure will be satisfactory to the country that does not place tlje decision pf the question of jhe sale of liquor in the hands of the people. Therefore we say that sucli rpsujt may confidently be looked for from the legislation of the approaching gessJQ?!« l\> 4S Pr9P#W9 tlia-t the, mea-

sure promised by the Government will fix a limit to the number of licensed houses in any neighborhood. A maximum of one house to each 1000 inhabitants has already been indicated, and it will be the endeavor of Sir Wilfrid Lawsan and his friends to get the popular veto embodied in this measure. If this cannot he done, the battle of the Permissive Bill will be again fought on the floor of the house. Judging from the progress attained since the first introduction of the measure, and the unquestionable sentiment of the British people, the triumph of that principle is close at hand.

The temperance reformation has never from its commencement afforded the promise that it does at present. fn all the great centres of population crowded and enthusiastic meetings are being held, and these are attended by the leading men of the district. Other organizations, in addition to the United Kingdom Alliance, are being constituted, to watch and to check the movemen is of the liquor dealers (who are also astir), and the funds for the support of these associations are found to be forthcoming in any quantity that may be necessary for the work. As is titting, the leading part is taken by London itself, where some of the leading names in the legal profession are found supporting the movement. All this but indicates the progress of the public mind in the direction of prohibition.