TEMPERANCE RESTAURANT IN PARIS.

Auckland Star, Volume XXX, Issue 295, 13 December 1899, Page 2

TEMPERANCE RESTAURANT IN PARIS.

It may interest temperance reformers, in Australia and New Zealand to learn that an outcome of the recent Anti-Alcoholic Congress in Paris has been the establishment of a temperance restaurant in the city—the first of its kind. It is called the "Etoile Bleue," and is situated in the Eve St. Bernard, in the middle, of the Faubourg St. Anfoine, the intention being primarily to influence the working classes. The promoters have thought it well not to make the trial of the temperance regime too severe for their patrons at the outset. Wine, cider, and beer are served in limited quantities, but only along with meals. Otherwise, only non-alcoholic beverages, such as tea, coffee, chocolate and "sirops" are supplied. According to the managers, themselves rigid abstainers, this compromise is found to •work in the direction of total abstinence. Some hundred and fifty customers are supplied with meals every day, and, although nearly all were accustomed to drink wine or beer, most of them have abandoned the habit, and that without pressure of any kind. The restaurant is largely patronised by women, but small employees and workmen also form a considerable poi-tion of its clientele. The experiment is not viewed with favour by the neighbouring "marehands de yin," but it appears to prosper notwithstanding.