LICENSING ACT—A BAD FLAW.

Evening Star, Issue 14533, 8 December 1910, Page 2

LICENSING ACT—A BAD FLAW.

TO THE KDITOU. Sir,—l desire to express my emphatic protest against the new Act in one particular. The public were informed that the age had been raised at which boys could be supplied with liquor to twentyone years. Press, public, and pulpit hailed this reform with acclamation; but, as in many other instance* of licensing legislation, it seems as it the liquor traflic always havo a way out. As the Act now stands is is a reflection on our legisJatioTs, as it docs not prohibit the salo oi liquor to boys under twenty-one years of age; it merely provides that " liquor shall not be supplied to anyone under twentyone- years of age for consumption on the premises." That means that the old law still holds good, and that liquor sellers can still supply lads or girls down to thirteen years of age with any kind of liquor —bottled beer or whisky—in jugs or cans so long as these purchasers go off the licensed premises (go on to tlte pavement or round the nearest comer) to drink it. A very large amount of the drinking and drunkenness, among boys in the past has been through this, very law that allowed children down to thirteen years of age to be supplied with liquor, provided it was carried off the premises for consumption. Now, when almost every citizen was rejoicing at the new and necessary law in the matter, we find that it is to a large extent usoless.—r am, etc.. Citizen. December 7.