The Daily News. MONDAY, MAY 3, 1915. THE WORKERS AND DRINK.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 278, 3 May 1915, Page 4

The Daily News. MONDAY, MAY 3, 1915. THE WORKERS AND DRINK.

The details of Mr. Lloyd George",* proposals for dealing with the liquor traffic, particularly in districts where the manufacture of war material is carried on, show that the original plan of State controlled licensed houses has only been partially adopted. The British Chancellor has, like many other Ministers who have preceded him, found the drink question a very thorny and difficult one, and in describing it as a subject surrounded by barbed-wire entanglements, explosive passions and prejudices he was only using the phraseology of the hour, to add force to a contention which all who are acquainted with Homeland affairs know only too well is beyond contradiction. Apart from the heavy duties imposed on wines, beer anit spirits —which may or may not operate—the general principle of adequate control by the Government over the sale of liquor in areas producing war material, and in some camping areas, is distinctly affirmed, nor do wo see how else the Government could combat the evil of drinking habits seriously curtailing the output of munitions at a time when success or failure depends on the sufficiency of the supply. (Another proposal that should be commended is the extension of the diluting allowance of spirits from 25 to 35 per cent, under proof, the object being to minimise the deleterious effects of drinking strong spirits to excess. In taking powers to close any house in the ■" areas in question that may be considered desirable, the Government lias only done what is necessary. By that means the .men will not be deprived ot refreshments, for the Government has also obtained the power to take over such premises for the supply of reasonable refreshment under proper control. It will be generaly conceded that Mr. Lloyd George lias been at much thought and pains to find a middle course of action on this burning question. The closing of public-houses now practically depends on the men themselves, for that course will only be adopted where necessity demands. The action of the Government is not intended as an act of temperance reform, but is merely a temporary necessity for the purpose, of the war, and only during the war. There is no more slight intended on the working man than is the case with tlie com" munity generally in connection with offences punishable by law. ,\]] ihat tl , c men who have rendered this special legislation necessary have to do is to lie sober and not waste, iu diinkin s to excess, precious time and services that the nation requires at their hands. The meaning of the prohibition i s that if , tl'c men will not work full time thev certainly shall not be allowed to frequent drinking places. The result of the experiment will be watched with keen interest, and it is to be bo-:od that the powers granted to the Government ""ill, if there is any need lor exorcist,,., them, be found sufficient to eopo w;th the evil. The Chancellor, if he ], as erred at all. has done so on the side of modernturn, doubtless in the hope that the com-mon-sense of the workers will prevail without it being necessary to resort to more drastic measures. A slackness or weakness, that is tolerated in times „f peace may prove disastrous iu war time.