THE LIQUOR TRAFFIC.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 5034, 12 May 1877, Page 3

THE LIQUOR TRAFFIC.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE NEW ZEALAND TLMES. Sir, —I have lately urged a change in the liquor traffic ; or if things are to remain as now I urged—l. That the liquor sold should he frequently tested. 2. That the power of licensing should be taken from the present lisensers. I would give it to the Resident Magistrate in each place. One man will not do what many will do without compunction. 3. That the publican who sells to a drunkard or to a known drunkard, or who adulterates, should be heavily fined. I urged a change by the adoption of the Gothenburg system, improving upon that by giving the whole business to the Government. At Gothenburg a private company holds not all, but part only of the licenses. If the system is to succeed it must be throughly carried out. Others I know urge that the licensing powers should be in the hands of a community ; that a district shall determine whether a public-house; shall or shall not be placed amongst them. As confessedly a large amount of crime starts from public-houses, I do not see how this right can be refused. If the majority want a public-house, let there be one. If the majority say no, let their “ no ” rule. Some would abolish public-houses altogether. I think that my remedy is better than theirs; for I do not see why a working man should not have his club as well as the rich man. A Government public-house would be such a club.

I would, then, place the whole matter in the hands of the Government. They would set up in each district only a sufficient number of houses for the need of the district, and some districts would require more than others. The license-holders should receive a good salary. In each house there should be a large room, free for all to enter, well warmed and lighted, and with recesses where a few could sit somewhat apart. This room should be well furnished with means of amusement, papers, chess-boards, &c. I would not object that billiards er cards should be provided in a separate room, but this on the sole condition that no money should at any time be played for ; that all betting upon the games going on should be forbidden. The bar of the house should be at the end of this room, ho that a drunken man, or a man known to drink, could not make his way there without detection. Tea and coffee, &c., should be sold here, and profit made by the license-holder here, but net

on the sale of beer or spirits. He would not purchase any articles containing any spirit; Government would supply these, and he be their agent in selling them only ; any infringement of the rules tor his guidance to be at once punished by the loss of his license. He would make profit also as a boardinghouse keeper, as such a house would of necessity have to provide for travellers. Ido not see why the wife of the working man should not come here for an hour or two in the evening, to fetch their husbands, or to enjoy a little more of the comforts of life than they can in their present crowded houses. Would such a system pay ? I think that it would. But if it had to be carried on at a loss, indirectly it would more than pay in the stopping of crime encouraged by the present system ; and pay a thousand-fold in the increased happiness and pith of the laud ;—and surely Government is for something better than to act as a machine for getting money.—l am, &c., A. Stock. Wellington, May 11.