ALTERNATIVE SCHEMES.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXIX, Issue 283, 26 November 1908, Page 5

ALTERNATIVE SCHEMES.

TO SECURE THE NATION'S BIGHTS. (Received 9.30 a.m.) LOSDOX, November 25. The "Westminster Gazette ,, says the Government must advance on an alternative line of taxation which will automatically reduce the public-houses and secure ) the nation's rights in the liquor monopoly. The "Pail Mall Gazette" declares that j the Lords staud as champions of public opinion against a detested measure which the nominal representatives of the United Kingdom are trying to force upon the community.

A statement recently made by Mr. TJoyd George, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, that if the House of Lords rejected the Licensing Bill, the Government would not be at the end of its resources, was interpreted to mean that Ihe Government %vill largely increase the beer duty and licenses. At present brewers in Great Britain pay a duty of Tγ.. l .)d. per barrel. Beer dealers, wholesale, not brewers, pay an annual license fee of £3 Us. Id. 5 boer dealers, to sell in any quantity, additional, not to be consumed on the premises, £1 55.; brewers having beer for sale, £1; other brewers, annual value of house exceeding £8, but not exceeding £10, 45.; where the annual value exceeds £10, but not £15, 95.; ditto, in every other case in addition to the duty on the »eer made, 4s. Publicans' licenses for the sale of spirits, beer, and wine, to be consumed on the premises, vary from £4 10s. to £60, according to the value of the house. I'ublicans keeping their premises closed the whole of Sunday, or closing one hour sooner than otherwise required on week days, pay oiiiy six-sevenths of the above amounts; and those keeping closed on Sundays, and also closing one hour earlier each day during the week, only five-sevenths. Ketailers of beer, cider, and perry, to be consumed on the premises, pay £'J 10s.; not to be consumed'on the premises £1 Is.; retailers of table beer, off license ss. Grocers'licenses (including beer), not to be consumed on the premises, according to value of premises, trom £4 4s. ! to"£l3 13s.