South Canterbury Times, TUESDAY, JUNE 21, 1881.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2574, 21 June 1881, Page 2

South Canterbury Times, TUESDAY, JUNE 21, 1881.

There is a rumor in Wellington that the Government will probably drop the Licensing Bill. As it now stands it is a widely different measure from what it was when introduced. Sir William Fox on a catch vote of the House succeeded in having the principle of local option introduced. All the members of the Government voted against the amendment. The provision for an elective Licensing Bench will necessitate other vast alterations in the Bill before it can become law. The necessary machinery for carrying the principle into effect will have to be provided, and Ministers can hardly be expected to enter with spirit into the work. In fact, the Bill is no longer theirs. It is Sir William Fox’s. No doubt the latter will undertake to pilot the measure through the stormy waters of Parliament for stormy they have ever been when this subject was under consideration. What strikes one very forcibly is the apathy displayed by the publicans in the matter. From North and South there comes no sign of movement on their part. What means this ? Have they retired beaten from the field, and left the Good Templars masters of the position ? The latter never claimed more than has been endorsed by the House of liepresentatives in the first week of the present session. Perhaps the licensed victuallers have faith in their supporters in Parliament being able to prevent the Bill as it now stands becoming law. They should not trust so implicitly to their legislative friends. Nothing is more certain than that the current of public opinion has set in in favor of local option—of direct local control in the matter of licensed public houses. Parliament is only a reflex of the views of the people of the country. We are firmly of opinion that great amendment is needed in the licensing laws, and that in the matter of new licenses the public should have a controlling voice. But what about the houses already established ? A large amount of capital has been invested in the liquor traffic, a traffic fully recognised by the law, and one which has contributed largely to the expenses of government. It would have undoubtedly been hotter if the contributions to the revenue from this source had been less. Drink is the cause of half the poverty and crime in the colony. It is the same in every British community. Still it is not fair that the publican should suffer ruin through the abuse of the article he has sold under the sanction of tie law. He is not primarily responsible for the evils of the liquor traffic. No man dislikes a drunkard more than

does the hotelkeeper. The latter is no more blaraeable than the merchant and importer who deal in the same article. In legislating on this subject it is only fair that the man should be kept distinct from the evils which flow from, the trade. , The publicans are just as respectable and intelligent as any class of tradesmen. They entered their particular calling on purely commercial grounds. They entered upon it under the full recognition and sanction of the law of the land. There is now danger of their business being destroyed without a penny of compensation being given. The whole matter is to be left in the hands of licensing commissioners who are to be elected by the ratepayers. If the majority of the latter are opposed to the drink traffic they can close every public house in a district. As we said before, the temperance party is growing both in power and numbers. Its adherents are not confined to members of the Good Templar organisation. The latter is small and weak compared to the large body of colonists who would vote for the sweeping away of public houses. It might be found that the general good would override the vested interests of individuals. The mass of mankind is not given to nice discrimination. The hotelkeepers would in many districts become victims to principle. The interests at stake are too large to be trifled with. If local option is to come into force, it will be only common justice that compensation should be given to those licensed victuallers whose bouses may be closed.