THE Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR O'CLOCK P.M. Resurrexi. THURSDAY, MAY 15, 1879.

Thames Star, Volume X, Issue 3195, 16 May 1879, Page 2

THE Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR O'CLOCK P.M. Resurrexi. THURSDAY, MAY 15, 1879.

Mant schemes have been devised 'within the last few years to counteract the drinking customs of the age, and prevent the spread of intemperance, the working out of which has been attended with more or less success. We reprint in another column a report issued by the House of Lords upon a scheme first introduced to Parliament by a Mr Chamberlain, and founded upon a system known as the Gothenburg system. This scheme starts upon* the principle that no individual, either as proprietor or manager, should derive any private gain from the sale of spirits, and it is given as evidence of its success that it has been

found to work -well in Gothenburg, and many-largo towns in Norway and Sweden; not only benefiting the State, but tending to the welfare of the people. The report, deals with the practical Working, and. judging , from the , report there, is every likelihood that the scheme will be tried .in England. To adyocate the introduction of such a system .into New Zealand should be within the province of our Good Templar friends, and if the statements made/are to be relied upon, and we have reason to believe they can, work is provided for those who have the welfare of the human race at heart, that should be most congenial. The liberty of the subject to drink intoxicating liquors is sot interfered with, while there is a guarantee given that what is imbibed is good of its kind, a very desirable consideration to the lovers of strong drink. It.is well known that very often the worst effects upon the, human frame of drinking arises from the inferiority of the liquor, more than from the amount consumed. Mr Chamberlain proposes to extend the system, and instead, as is the case in Gothenburg, that the right to 'supply spirituous liquors is granted ,t° * company, to place the administration in the hands of the Town Councils or other local governing bodies. Although the scheme looks well to commence with, it cannot be disguised that maby objections may be raised against its introduction ; but, like all new project?, it requires time, consideration, and a certain amount of that education of the public

mind that politicians are so fond of advocating. We will, in a future issue, take;up the subjecfc.'and in the meantime may leave it in the hands of those who are prepared to give any matter that has for its object the welfare of society a fair consideration.