MUNICIPAL CONTROL V PROHIBITION.

Grey River Argus, Volume LVII, Issue 10520, 27 January 1903, Page 4

MUNICIPAL CONTROL V PROHIBITION.

I A SuggesteTltemedy.

(To the Editor). Sir,— After reading the very senable remaiks made at the inquest held ra the late sal drowning case off the wharf, of the cook of the schooner Lizzie Taylor, by the Coroner, R S Hawkins, E<q., and also perusing the jebate by the Rev Mr Trestrail and Mr Smith, I find that all are words md no remedy. lam of the opinion that so long as the dispensing of liquor is in the hands [>f private persons to make money so ong will the evil exist, j>s the c are a Fast number of persons of both sexes who are too low ia the bump of selfdenial to use and nob abuse ; and these unfortunates are condemned by those who otherwise possess a fairly level head. In my opinion the unfortunates are to be more j>ittied than blamed. Hence it is necessary to safeguard them Krom the evils of intemperance, seeing, |s we all must do, that tho licensing ■ws are now set at naught. ThereKre it strikes me that a radical change Ks necessary to safeguard the public, and, as prohibition will, in the 'opinion of many, be a worse evil than at present, I would suegest that the jvhole of the drink traffic be made a municipal monopoly. Many willtay that this is a very large order. But money is of less value than lif«, and as good security can be had if we |o legalise boroughs to borrow money sufficient to purchase right out such feouses as will meet the public wanfce, and compensate the balance of houses not required; purchase the brewery, aud to each municipal house or hotel appoint a master or matron at a salary to properly conduct the establishment, whose penalty would be instant dismissal on the slightest infringement of [any excess being al'owed. Having no interests ia forcing drink on their Ijjistomers, and being able to absolutely refuse to supply those known to drink ito excess, they would have no |ear of losing custom. For the purIhase say, in this town of eight houses, fompensating 19, and with the purchases of br§vrery would require say a sum of L 60,00 on same say 1/2400 per annum. The profits of the !ho)e of the trade would thereby go pie municipality and it would be pndthat a revenue would be raised fecient to pay interest and sinking nd as well as" leave a yearly surplus at would supply funds sufficient to enable ihe Council to do withoub Sailing upon the burgesses for any rates. f After the scheme was made law, a few years would be sufficient to raise |*Burplus age that would be available our City Fathers to carry Plr those necessary municipal improvements that would be a boon to the Burgesses, beautify the town and Ifomote the health, recreation and happiness of the inhabitants by this mode of procedeure. Those who advocate pure and simple total prohibition and are blind to the jjror.-e evils that would arise, will, I lepe, sre that under entire municipal s&ntrol the enemy would be scotched and the evil complained of led into a straightgoing channel ; the revenue would nob suffer, and those who do fiot touch, taste or handle would see fe.town of sober inhabitants and th*-y themselves free from rates, so as to benefit with their fellows. In a few I yea; s the many improvements the Council would be enabli d to cany out from the profits rf the well regulated sale of pure spiiits »nd pine malt drinks, as th re would lejnoinducemenb to adulteratej under their management. Trusting that No 2 will improve on this suggestion. — I am, etc., E. Wickeß.