THE LICENSING COMMITTEE ELECTIONS.

Evening Star, Issue 6808, 23 January 1886, Page 2

THE LICENSING COMMITTEE ELECTIONS.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir, —To judge from appearances, the coming licensing election is to be fought on license or no license to grocers to sell Intoxicating liqhors. I have numerous acquaintances engaged in the grocery trade, holding licenses, and from conversation with thein X am disposed to think that the majority holding liquor licenses would readily give them up, if their compeers would do the same. Naturally they are averse to do this whi}o neighboring grocers retain the license, for they feel there are a cliss of 'customers that they would lose the custom of entirely —not in drink alone, but legitimate groceries as well. Some teetotallers injure the oausethey no

doubt earnestly wish to serve by making rabid statements, such as that liquor is often sold and booked as groceries. No doubt there are grocers disreputable enough to act thus, but they are not a numerous class. In this contest they might safely be treated a3 not existing, although I aui constrained to admit that on election day these grocers and their money will be what the abolitionists will have principally to contend against. Some time back, in conversation with a grocer, I inquired of him what first induced him to sell liquor. His reply was briefly as follows:—When he started business years ago the bottle license was then as now existing. He started without a license, but Bhortly found that there was a class of customers if he wished to retain he must supply with liquor. To meet the difficulty he had three courses open to him to choose from. (1) to procure it from a neighboring store and sell it at no profit to conform to law ; (2) to procure as above and sell at a profit and thus break the law ; (3) get a license, make a profit, andconformtothelaw. He did geta license, has it now, and lives in Dunedin. Another grocer's experience was shortly as follows:—On many occasions he had to supply drink when his feelings rebelled against it; but if he objected they would procure it elsewhere, asd groceries too, so the only course open to him was to trade and make no reflections. Another one knew it was a direct encouragement to home insobriety, but he must live, and while his neighbors sold so must he. Much more I should like to write upon this question, but have no wish to trespass unduly on your space. I conclude by expressing an opinion on experience gained, that there are not more than about a dozen licensed grocers in Dunedin who are against the total abolition of the bottle license.—l am, etc., • A. Dunedin, January 23.