CONTROL OF THE LIQUOR TRAFFIC

Dominion, Volume 16, Issue 174, 11 April 1923, Page 7

CONTROL OF THE LIQUOR TRAFFIC

TO THE EDITOR. Sir, —I do not wish to enter upon a controversy with the assistant-sec-rotary of tho New Zealand Alliance, or anyone else, in regard to the control of the liquor traffic in this country. My impressions of tho svstem of commissioner control existing in the province .gf Quebec at the present time were obtained during a recent run through Canada. My friends and acquaintances m Montreal, tho big city and seaport of the province, assured me that the system was proving a great success from every community point of view. I made such inquiries and investigations as I could during my brief stay in the city, mainly occupied by business matters, and all the information I obtained tended to confirm the statements made to me by my friends. Air. Murray’s contentions have not affected my views in any way. Ho says that I w wrong in stating that the system is having the effect of weaning the people from the consumption of ardent spirits by offering thorn light wino and beer at low prices. “Tho Government,” he urges in proof of this contention, “is the sole importer and vendor of wines and spirits, and in December, 1921,_th0 sales wore nine times what they were in May, 1921.” Surely this is one 'of the results that might be expected from inducing a community, with a very large French element, to substitute light French wines for heavy beers and ardent spirits. Personally, I should welcome the change, as I think most other really temperate people would. There is only one other count in Mr. Murray’s indictment I need notice. “The Quebec Liquor Commission. in making its report, tells the public.” ho says, “that great progress has been made, in dealing with boot-legging, an admission that State control is not apparently more acceptable than prohibition.” “Bootlegging,” I understand, is illicit liquor trading, and if commissioner control m making great' progress in suppressing this evil, then obviously it if doing a very admirable work. As I have said. I do not wish to engage in a controversy with anyone on this subject, I have neither time nor inclination for that sort of thing. But I do want to sec tho liquor traffic in this country so reformed that it will be a reproach to no one responsible for its existence. Towards this <md I should like to see all the sane people getting together and devising moans by which it could be attained. —I am, etc., J. B. MacEWAN. April 9.