The Gottenburg System.

Manawatu Herald, 15 August 1899, Page 2

The Gottenburg System.

It is very evident that the Premier is getting tired of the struggles of the rival parties, licensed victuallers and prohibitionists, and is ready to try anything by which one side would be silenced. On Thursday, in reply to the question that a committee should be set up to inquire into the advisableness of starting the Gothenburg system of selling liquor in New Zealand, the Premier replied that until the State took control they would never have the liquor traffic in a satisfactory condition. He believed that owners of hotel property would be very glad to lease their property to the State. Wherever grog was sold it ought to be controlled by the State." This is the Norway system of dealing with the liquor traffic, and is more generally known as the Gottenburg or Gothenburg system. It may not be out of place to give a brief sketch how the system is worked. A company manages a shop where spirits are sold but after they have received five par cent the balance is devoted to charitable and philanthropic objects. The Town Council fixes, the number of these shops, and they cannot be increased or reduced without the consent of the Council. For one part of the year these shops are opened at 8 a.m. to noon, and from 1.30 to 8 p.m., and , at the other period they have to be ! closed at 7 p.m. On every Saturday they are closed at 1 p.m., and on Sundays are closed all day. Liquor must be paid for immediately and no one under the influence of drink is permitted to be served, and if a man is known to be a drunkard the shops are forbidden by the police to serve him. Not more than two glasses are allowed to be served to a customer, and if he wants more he must walk until he comes to th« next shop, which is likely to be a considerable way, as the shops go about one to each 6000 inhabitants. We must agree with the Premier that unless the population will agree to do without spirituous liquor some State scheme will have to be introduced and a modified scheme to the Norwegian one would deserve a trial. It is worthy of remembrance that the late Mr Gladstone in a letter addressed to the chairman of the National Temperance Congress at Chester said " I am of opinion that the method of sale for public account as it exists in various parts of Scandinavia presents great advantages." It is likely that more will be heard of these suggestions during the coming election.