South Canterbury Times. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 6, 1882.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2974, 6 October 1882, Page 2

South Canterbury Times. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 6, 1882.

The Licensed Victuallers of Dunedin have long been a model to similar bodies. The members understand the value of unity, and work well together. They have, moreover, formed a very correct opinion of the legitimate objects of their existence, and their proper sphere of action. Starting at first, with a view of protecting their own interests merely, they began after a while to see that such interests were identical with those of the general public, and accordingly they made every effort to raise their particular calling in the public estimation. In this they have been entirely successful. They have done all in their power to promote the observance of the law, to reduce to a minimum the" objectionable features of public-house life, to provide for the comfort of visitors, to secure purity of liquor, and in every way to commend themselves to the favorable consideration of the public. The effect of this effort is manifest. A publican used to be (not very long ago either) more or less an object of suspicion; now, he commands, in general, as much respect and confidence

as any other trader. The Licensed Victuallers Association, in their inceptive stage, occupied the narrow platform of antagonism to the teetotallers and temperance reformers. They placed themselves in what we may call an attitude of defiant defensiveness against the aggressions of those zealots whose propaganda included the extirpation of the liquor seller. This entirely false position has been exchanged for one more moderate, on both sides. Fanatical teetotalisra is giving place to true temperance principles ; the publicans have abandoned their former style of gathering adherents by liberally . dispensing “ drinks all round,” for a steady attention to legitimate business, raising the tone of their houses, and conducting their affairs as orderly as other tradespeople do. At a meeting of the Committee of the Dunedin Association held on Wednesday, two or three matters were dealt with of a highly practical nature. It was decided to point out the desirability of keeping a register recording the circumstances under which hotel employees left employment, and also one setting forth all defaulting boarders. The advisability was also* affirmed of a deputation waiting upon the proper authorities to urge the necessity of the appointment of excise officers, who would have it within their power to visit hotels and obtain therefrom samples of liquor exposed for sale. Now this is something like business. Leaving the old beaten path of grumbling at their lot, and at the hardships under which they labor, and finding fault with the Good Templars and teetotallers generally, they address themselves to their true interests, and challenge inspection by the authorities, of their stock. They are bent upon weeding out from among them the sellers of bad liquor, and on securing honest and desirable servants. The effect of this action cannot but be beneficial to the hotelkeepers and the public. Most licensees complain that there is no cohesion among them, and that Associations die out for lack of onion among the members. We have beard this complaint in Timaru, and we commend the line of action taken by the Otago Association to the notice of the local body. The more they follow out some such practical course, the more they will attract of that which is most value to them, viz.:— moral support from the outside public.