Temperance Column.

Evening Post, Volume L, Issue 36, 10 August 1895, Page 2 (Supplement)

Temperance Column.

[The matter for this Column is supplied by a representative of the local Temperance bodies, who alone is responsible for the opinions expressed in it.] THE GOTHEN~BURG SYSTEM INCREASES DRUNKENNESS. J. B. Westenius.oneofthemostprominent temperance workers in Sweden, gives his testimony against the Gothenburg system. After stating the law, he says : — " Such is the Gothenburg system of Sweden. It makes a so-called respectable and moral saloon and is commended by moderate drinkers, who think they see in the soheme a way to get their liquor without demoralising the community. But it makes drunkards just the same. It is not the system or house or manager that needs improvement and that makes men drunk, it is the drink. The Gothenburg system does not reduce drunkenness, but increases it by encouragemont and allurements. There is really far more drunkenness now because we have 500,000 total abstainers, who have mostly become so during the past 16 years. It certainly does not diminish crime. With us it was good at first, but vow it is a curse, greatly retarding the overthrow of the liquor traffic." Here is a bit of "Prohibition" whioh is of the right kind and evidently put in the right place. It is one of the by-laws of a newly-organised church among the Zulus : — " No member shall be permitted to drink the white man's grog."