THE DRINK TRAFFIC.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXIII, Issue 9066, 5 February 1908, Page 6

THE DRINK TRAFFIC.

SWEEPING REFORM IN ROUMANIA. It is stated that the Roumanian Government proposes co sot a striking example of drastic legislation drunkenness and the indisBKninate sale of alcohol in rural M. Sturdza and his colprojected a Bill relat-by-laws governing,the redrink and the right of -houses in rural dis"this right will iu exclusively to working (ration composed the scnoolmaster, and notable members of the HJnmnnal council. The number of is to be limited to one to 150,heads of families, or, reckon-, ing five persons to each household, one per 750 souls. At present there is a public-house to about each 30 families, so that the law goes beyond mere regulation, and reduces the number of public-houses enormously. Provision is, nevertheless, made that a public-house may be opened in hamlets having less than 150 families and a minimum of 50, if no other pubilc-houses be found within a radius of three miles. The communal public-houses will only sell spirituous drinks, or at most only such other articles as come under the adminsitration of the Government as monopolies of the State and that only when there are no other establishments in the district for the sale of such other articles. The profit made by the sale of the alcoholic drinks will become a part of the ordinary income of the village. They will constitute a special fund called the Public-house Fund, which will be used wholly and solely for the improvement of rural schools, churches, infirmaries, roads, and plantations, for agricultural show prizes, and for the purchase of prize cattle for breeding purposes. The Public-houses Committee will fix the price of all alcoholic and other drinks, which will be for sale, and the municipal (town) council will have a right of control. The choice of every pubiichouse keeper will be in the hands of the committee. He will j have fixed wages and the benefit or the sale of all non-alcoholic drinlss and of the restaurant. No drinks are to be given on credit neither are they to be paid in kind. All gambling is to be prohibited. No spirituous drinks may be sold to young persons under 16 years of age. M. Costinesoc’s Jaw also provides severe punishment against drunkenness.