The Press. FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 1908. IMPROVEMENT OF LICENSED HOUSES.

Press, Volume LXIV, Issue 13272, 13 November 1908, Page 6

The Press. FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 1908. IMPROVEMENT OF LICENSED HOUSES.

"We have already stated the objections to the No-license agitation carried on as a political crusade, on the ground, first, that it has caused the weakening, if not abandonment, of the efforts to check intemperance by moral suasion, and, secondly, because* it has almost destroyed the capacity of the electors to gr?e proper consideration to tho general politics of the country. There is a further objection in that it has distracted public attention from the important question of considering how far an improvement can be made in tho system of selling liquor. This point is very effectively dealt .with by Lord Lamington in tho October number of the '-National Review." Tho nobl6 lord objects to the English Licensing Bill because he holds that a mere reduction in tihe number of publichouses will not diminish intemperance, especially when no attempt ib made to curtail tho facilities for secret drinking afforded by grocers' licenses to sell intoxicating liquors. He speaks, however, in. terms* of warm approval of a Bill introduced into the House of Lords bearing tho title of the Publichouses (Extension of Facilities) Bill. The operative part of this measure is as follows:—

In exercising powers with respoot to granting permission - for structural alterations upon or, extensions to premises licensed for the_ sale of intoxicating liquors by retail, the licensing justices shall not do so in such manner as to interfere with— (a) The provision of bccommjdation for tho supply of tea, coffee, cocoa or,food. (b) Tho making of such premises, or any "part thereof, more open, well-ventilated or clean. (c) Ihe improvement or enlargement of the sanitary accommodation. (d) The substitution of tho provision of chairs and tables either wholly or partly in lieu of existing bar accommodation. (c) The provision of games, newspapers, musis or gardens, or other means of reasonable recreation.

It .would seem at first sight absurd that any such legislation should be necessary. But it is not absurd at all, as Lord' Lamington proceeds to point out. In England l , as nere, the Nolicense party are so bent on sweeping away publichouses altogether that they wiU not listen to any proposal for improving them. In New Zealand we have seen- a Licensing Committee, composed mainly of proh'bitionists, deliberately closing well-conducted hotete andi allowing mere drinking shops to remain, with the idea,of so disgusting the public as to make them vote "Nolioense." In England Lord Lamington tells us that the teetotal propagandists on the licensing benches have placed eH kinds of restrictions on the proper development of the publichouse as an inn, or cafe, or restaurant; "in other "words," adds his lordship, "in their " seal for temperance. Licensing Jus- '' ticos have developed a policy which is "most inimical to temperance." He cites a case where application for permission to add a private kitchen and lavatory accommodation to licensed premises was only granted on that the owners of the house should make a. special contribution of £100 to the compensation, fund l . He tells us of Licensing Magistrates who ask the tenant not to provide sitting aocommodsation l m certain bars, not to allow any games, automatic machines, or musical- boxes, and they have even been known, to insist upon pianos being used only in the licensee's private apartments. Lord Lamingtoni's idea, of an improved! publichouse is a commodious building, into which any passer-by might- enter and call for any reasonable kind of refreshment —food or drink A the

latter alcoholic or uor.-alcohclic. The place Should' be so reputable that what-

ever his social position Ke could enter it openly, and) even take his wife and children with him, and find suitable refreshment also for them Ho should l>e able to call for or purchase in tho house newspapers and! magazines. If he had one or more friends, they should be able to call for chess or dominoes, or quoits and bowls in th© country. There should on occasion be music to listen to. No one would drink to excess or misbehave in such surroundings—public opinion would mako it impossible. In other words, for tho English public-house, Lord Lamington would substituto tho French or Spanish cafe or German beerhouse, and everyone who has travelled will agree that thess are an immense improvement on tho present English style.

Years ago wo urged the licensed victuallers of New Zealand to reform their houses on these lines. Wo urged that an hotel should bo in every detail as respectable and as free from reproach as a tea-shop. There can bo no question that if Lord Lamington's ideal were substituted for the ordinary country hotel in New Zealand, it would really bo a boon to the young men of the place, who at present find no better amusement than to hang over the bar, talking to tho barmaid andi drinking more than is good for them. The great strength of the prohibition movement lies in the fact that so much importance is devoted- in New Zealand to tho bar trade. Unfortunately tho licensed victuallers' party are deaf and blind to the signs of public opinion. They either misread it altogether or seem deliberately to invito public -opposition and resentment. If they wish to stem the No-license tide, they must not wait until it is on tho point of overwhelming them. That will be too late. Tho extremists will never be satisfied! until they havo swept away licensed houses and loft tho field open to the sly-grog seller and tho private tippler. The great moderate party, wo believe, might still be won if the hotel system were thoroughly overhauled and reformed.