VISCOUNT ASTOR WANTS TO KNOW.

White Ribbon, Volume 32, Issue 369, 18 March 1926, Page 6

VISCOUNT ASTOR WANTS TO KNOW.

Asks Some Pertinent Question* Relative to the Carlisle System of Liquor Control. According to u London special dispatch to the "Christum Science Monitor,” the British Government is now drafting the terms of reference lor inquiry into the system of control of the drink traffic in force in Carlisle. Referring to the matter in a recent debate in the House of Lords, Viscount Astor quoted instances of warm approval of the Carlisle system expressed to him by representatives of local authorities. At the same time he dwelt upon the evils of a trade which, in the words of the Prime Minister, “had become a m* nace to the life of the community and corrupted politics.” In this connection, Viscount Astor ask*d a number of very pertinent questions. He said: “First of all, is any money made in Carlisle out of tin* sale of drink going to political organisations for the return to Parliament of candidates favourable to the financial interests of this trade? Again, does any money made in Carlisle out of drink go to political organisations for the pu.pose of keeping out of Itorliament candidates who support the temperance programme of the churches? Ikies any of the money made in Carlisle from the sale of drink go to societies which conduct propaganda against the Te mperance Council of the Churches to influence electors in favour of these specific financial interests? To what, if any, extent do the salaried staff of the Control Hoard or whatever the government Lxly at Carlisle may be* today, organise themselves politically on behalf of their industry? Finally, does the* committee, or the* Ixxly which runs the* drink trade in Carlisle*, bring pressure to bear upon publicans in Carlisle •it elect am times as to whom they should support ?” In commenting upon the* alwve statement by Viscount Astor, the* “Christian Science Monitor’’ says: “Th**se are all questions which will have to be answered before the* Carlisle or any oth**r experiment which does not go the* whole* length of Prohibition can Im* held to have justified Itself. “That the British Government shoulel tie committed to inquire Into the matter

is a sign of the times. Its groping* may still be in the dark. To search industriously, howev»*r, may yet be to find.” Exchange.