LIQUOR LEGISLATION.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume LXXI, Issue LXXI, 11 January 1916, Page 8

LIQUOR LEGISLATION.

REFORMS IN SWEDEN

■The'"Stockholm system" of allowing each citizen only a fixed quantity of spirituous drink; which was inaugurated just after the war started, has now been extended to thirty-one of the one hundred, disricts in Sweden. The system was devised by. Dr. Ivan Bratt. It allows every citizen in good standing to buy one litre and no more of spirituous liquor every five days. To make tiiis plan feasible, each person is provided with a small book resembling a communication railroad ticket, from which a coupon is torn every time the customer ' buys his litre of whisky, brandy, cognac, punch, schnapps, or whatever kind of alcoholic beverege he fancies. At the same time his book is stamped with the date of the purchase, so that it is clear to the dealer when he made his last purchase. Without' showing his book, no citizen of Stockholm .has the remotest.chance of obtaining a bottle of liquor anywhere in the city. It is true that in some cases, however, exceptions are made. If one can persuade the authorities that on account of his social position and the demands of, Constant entertainment one litre, every five days is totally inadequate, and if the authorities/ are convinced that such a person can Be trusted with more liquor without abusing the privilege conferred on him, he is then given > a special license to purchasetwo, three, or more litres, according to the circumstances. On 'the ether hand, if the person is a drunkard, has a police record, or has in any ether way incurred the displeasure of the authorities, he is allowed no liquor at all.