THE NEXT BRITISH TEMPER ANCE BILL.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1131, 19 May 1911, Page 7

THE NEXT BRITISH TEMPER ANCE BILL.

———* v - Mr. Asquith, in reply to a deputation from tho United Kingdom Alliance and the National Temperance Federation, . said that to no measure had lio given more thought and effort than to the Licensing ■ Bill of 1908, Mid no one was more disappointed at its rejection by the House of Lords, in face of the support it received in the country and the enormous majorities, by which it had been passed in the Commons. Until the Constitutional obstacle was removed, it was idle to talk of temperance or other reform, but he Was hopeful that within measurable ■ time tho way would be clear. He adhered to and repeated the pledge Hint this legislation should be umong tho first fruits of the recovered Constitution. A measure would bo introduced ou the lilies of the Licensing Bill of . 1908 a? a minimum—as comprehensive and farreaching, though not necessarily identical. His hope and expectation was to pass such a measure throuch tho House of Commons during the lifetime of the present Parliament. The temporary defeat of 1908 would, he firmly believed, end in victory. Mr. Asquith, in conclusion, paid a grateful tribute to (ho loyal, etritiiisj, and unanimous support given to the Government Bill during the Ion? months of conflict by the temperanco forces of the country. ,