NO-LICENSE IN THE DOMINION

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LI, Issue 185, 27 July 1908, Page 4

NO-LICENSE IN THE DOMINION

BRITISH FOOTBALL, MANAGEIt'S " VIEWS. By Telegraph*—Press Association. Auckland, Saturday Xigut. In the course of an interview to-day, Mr. George Hartnett, manager 01 tne British football team, speaking on 110license, said; "There was one thing that struck us very much, and that was the difference between tne hotels in tlie prohibited districts from those where license rules.. The comparison is all iu favor of the licensed places. Notably was this the case at Invereargill, where we were surprised to iiud that no licened hotels existed, but that they were all temperance boardinghouses. So nit of our experiences were humorously strange. In fnvereargiil, for instance, we could get 110 refreshments ourselves, but on . the Wednesday morning of our arrival, 1 saw drunken men at o'clock in the streets, which astonished ,lne immensely, amif later in the evening 1 saw more drunken people at Jnvercargill than 1 have seen in any other city of the Dominion. This seems'to show that where there is no-license, licjuor can be obtained, and as it has to be obtaiued on the siy, it is doubtless of the worst description, from undoubted sources I learnt that drinking in private houses down tliere was daily on the increase. This leads to the same evil as the grocers' licenses do in England. Personally f may say that I have always taken a glass 01. beer, but in strict moderation. The 'flicker system for controlling liquor seems to" me to be another very undesirable mode of dealing with alcoholic refreshment. Tn fact, the Whole thing seems to be too full of deceit and fraud to appeal to those who desire to see a natiou built up of strong, clean characters."

'•From your experience of Invcrcargill you would not then recommend any other place in the Dominion to follow its example?" Mr. Hartnett was asked. "In the host interest of the community, most assuredly not,'' was the repiy.