The Daily News. FRIDAY, JUNE 16, 1916 NATIONALISATION OF LIQUOR TRAFFIC.

Taranaki Daily News, 16 June 1916, Page 4

The Daily News. FRIDAY, JUNE 16, 1916 NATIONALISATION OF LIQUOR TRAFFIC.

The liquor question is one of those that, unfortunately, have been conspicuous for the extreme views held by the opposing sides, those who say "Away with it, lock, stock and barrel," and those who advocate unrestrained trade. The real evil, from an economic point of view, may be regarded as that of a monopoly fostered oy legislation. The outcry against the liquor trade is primarily occasioned by the abuse of alcoholic drinks and not by their rational use, and became evil has resulted from this abuse a demand lias grown for the total abolition of the traffic. The question is whether alcohol, or any other article—such as tobacco --should be placed under a ban because of its being abused. To assent to such a line of action implies a lack of intelligence and resourcefulness on the part of any country in finding a mid-course between extremes. It is unnecessary to discuss whether alcoholic drinks, tobacco, or other articles in daily use are injurious or not, for if we were only to use such things as are absolutely free from all liability to injuriously nffect the system if taken to excess, ihere would be little except water—and frequently not that—left to our choice. For instance,. It is well known that a very large proportion of the ailments which afflict humanity are due to over eating or the consumption of indigestible food, yet there has been no insistent demand to regulate the solids as there has been in the cause of the liquids. That brings us to the main proposition which we desire to adva.nce —that of regulation. It Will have been noticed that in a recent cable from London it was announced that the Government, through the Liquor Control Board, had purchased all the breweries and three hundred public houses in the Carlisle district, it being intended to close one lain-' dred public houses, and build several model refreshment houses, State-brewed beer wing sold in the State-owned houses. It was further stated that the Government's action will, it is expected, be repeated elsewhere. The Liquor Traffic Control Act, which was passed by the liritish Parliament last year, gave the Centra! jControl Board, constituted under that Act, very considerable powers, including the following: To close publichouses or clubs; to regulate hours of opening; to prohibit any specified description of intoxicants; to impose conditions or restrictions regarding the sale of intoxicants; to prevent treating! to compulsorily acquire licensed or other premises, and to fix the maximum strength at which spirits may be sold. In addition to these powers the Board was authorised to carry on, in any premises acquired by them, any business involving the sale or supply of intoxicating liquor, refreshments or tobacco without a license. There were also drastic provisions relating to the inspection of licensed premises. It will be noted that the two chief powers under the Act are those which relate to the compulsory acquisition of licensed or other premises (such as clubs), and the carrying on of any business involving the sale or supply of intoxicating liquor, in which is included breweries and distilleries. It iB under the powers conferred on them hw 'thU Aiai that the

Board of Control is now taking action in tlie Carlisle district, to be followed by s.'inilar action elsewhere. The essence of I the Act is State control together with State manufacture, and this new departure is one that cannot fail to appeal to all unbiassed people as affording the means of solving the liquor problem in an effective and satisfactory manner without infringing on the liberties of the subject. That is exactly what should be the aim of every Government which recognise? not only the rights of majorities, but those of all classes which constitutc the community. In the first place, it sweeps away a monopoly that should never have been allowed to exist; ic exercises that control which should practically put an end to the abuse of alcoholic liquors; it aims at supplying pure, beer and spirits, the latter being reduced jo a strength that will be fixed in the best interests of the consumers, and it secures to the nation the profits arising from the trade. In this democratic nationalisation of industries is in the forefront of legislation. We have only to recall the success which has followed Xew Zealand's State 'enterprisessuch as the Post and Telegraph system, the railways, the Public Trust office, State fire and life insurance, and in other departments—in order to become convinced that State control can be exercised to the utmost advantage and to the well being of the people. What the State has done in these matters clearly indicates that it could meet with equal success in nationalising the liquor traffic The wonder is that in a young country liK-c this, with its strong democratic predilections,' there should have been a greater leaning towards the creation of ;a liquor monopoly than obtains elsewhere. It is, however, no use concerning ourselves with the grave blunders of the past. What really matters now is applying fitting remedies at the earliest possible opportunity, and there is no matter that needs the earnest and intelligent attention of the Government more than that of State control of the liquor traffic. Britain—so notoriously conservative in the matter of old customs— j bus boldly struck out into a new system, and thereby given a lead that the Dominions should speedily fol|ow. It was only recently that the Premier of New South Wales (Mr. Holman), in commenting on the early closing reteren. dum, said that, in his view, "no lasting good would be secured by tinkling with the position by means of such methods us early closing, reduction, and other

similar measures. The Government at the next election would hold a referendum on the question of the nationalisation of the liquor traffic.", That is exactly what is wanted, and it is to be toped that the Dominion Government will no longer dally with this important question, but face it in the same way as the British Government, and solve the problem in a similar manner. It would be a great democratic step that should prove of inestimable value to the people of New Zealand.