PROTECTIVE ASSOCIATIONS.

Westport Times, Volume VIII, Issue 1179, 26 May 1874, Page 2

PROTECTIVE ASSOCIATIONS.

[COMMTJETC ATE O.] One of the characteristics of the times is the combination among tradespeople towards association for tho protection of their several interests. Of the numerous societies formed for the purpose, there is one much to bo commended to the notice of hotel proprietors, and to which wo shall in this article confine our remarks. It is the " United Licensed Victuallers Association of Victoria." This society has for its object the furtherance of its interests, their defence against the var'ous attacks made upon them, whether by excessive legislation, over granting of licenses, &c; a lawful opposition to tho rest ictions sought to be placed upon its members as tradespeople, and a resistance to any infringement of their rights as such ; and the consideration of matters in general pertaining to its welfare. There is in connection with the association a fund for the rebef of the widows and orphans of its members.

It has often occurred to the writer that the establishment among hotel proprietors of a society similar to the above would promote their interests, and conduce to their social and moral improvement. It is surprising so desirable au association has, as yet, no existe.ice on the West Coast. Not the less surprising is it our hotel proproprietors have not perceived the necessity of organising for the purpose of neutralising the misdirected efforts of certain euthusiastic but benighted individuals, which if unopposed will prore most detrimental to their interests. Possibly it may not be generally known that the advocates of " total abstinence" have before the present session of the Parliament of Victoria a bill styled the " Permissive Bill," the operation of which should it pass the House, will absolutely close all hotels, breweries, distilleries, and wine and spirit stores, and this without affording any compensation whatever. A.s the operations of this singular people arc not confined to any particular country (and there is already found in this colony sufficient indications of their activity) they, sooner or later, will make similar attempts at legislation which, if successful, will result in the total ruin of the trade. It was for this peculiar people seemingly to discover and exhibit in these days of enlightenment the grand folly of our ■ time, a deranged view of mundane affairs the entertainment of certain principles may cause ; and that pitiable state of hallucination to which the species may be subjected. In illustration wc shall quote that " their body in Liverpool protested against the acceptance by the city of a sum of £20,000, the gift of the Mayor, towards an art gallery because, said they, it came from a brewer, and consequently the money must be regarded as the wages of '■ iniquity and damnation." It is left to the public to infer from the above the nature of the Paradise these loaders of mankind hare in store for them. It ia to resist the insane innovations of this species of reformers that the Victorian association is at present strenuously exerting itself, and it is to bo hoped their efforts will bo crowned with success. Wo fail to perceive how, excepting through 1 lie agency of such an organisation, it could be satisfactorily effected. In the event of failure the business of a Licensed Victualler will cease. It is therefore a matter of absolute necessity that our hotel proprietors lake immediate steps towards association, because a de.

pondence upon individual effort will, when tho trial conies, prove utterly unavailing against adversaries numerous and well organised.