STATE CONTROL

Lyttelton Times, Volume C, Issue 11751, 1 December 1898, Page 3

STATE CONTROL

TO THE EDITOR. Sir,—Your correspondent “ F.C.” has mentioned a fact which was nob known to the compilers of the diocesan report on the Gothenburg system, viz, that within the last two or three years some of the Norwegian towns have voted for prohibition, and have abolished the State-con-trolled liquor shops. I ventured to point out that this might be no discredit to the system, ,but for want of information I was unable to deal with the point fully. Some fresh information,' however, has just been sent me by a resident in New Plymouth who has just returned from a visit to his native town of Aberdeen, where a lively interest is taken in the Scandinavian system. Ho scuds mo an extract from the “ Aberdeen Free Press,” which 1 hope you will see fit to publish,- as it throws s£me light upon the facts alluded to by “ F.C.” I may add that my correspondent assures me that , this extract “lias never ,been answered or gainsaid,” .and also that when in Aberdeen (which has close connection with Scandinavia) he heard only good about the municioalisation of the traffic.— I am, etc-., * H. T. PDRCIIAS. (Enclosure.) Although the Royal Commission on the licensing laws has decided against receiving oral evidence in regard to the systems operative in foreign countries, and the results of their working, it is possible that the Commissioners, -who are now approaching the end of their labours, may have brought under their notice certain facts, officially vouched foi', as to what has happened in Norway. Recent legislation thei;e has-given the inhabitants of each locality the option between having “ bolags ” (municipally - controlled liquor shops) or absolute prohibition. In fifteen towns in the Skiensfiord District the sale of spirits has, under the new law, been prohibited. The police reports go to prove that in' no. instance has temperance increased. Most of - them-point to the opposite state of things.- - - - Thus, one town ' (Gjovig)- reports that the-abolition- 'of -the .“’.bedag,” or publichouse,- has done -more - harm than good as regards ftempeeaiice.- - In Tons berg the arrests for drunkenness were -6SS ..m TSO.7-. against 455 in 1536, but it must be mentioned that in this town there, are two private rights still being exercised for the sale of liquor. The sale of wine of verybad quality and mixed with much spirits has increased enormously.

In Brevig the condition is almost unaltered. In Lillesand the number of arrests for drunkenness rose from thirteen to fifty. The police here declare the state of things is.worse than before prohibition. The same report is given from Grimstead, and the arrests rose from 87 to 131. At

Favsund there is no improvement. In Stavanger, a large town, the arrests have risen from 595 to BSS. Ibis especially remarked by the authorities that drunkenness has greatly increased among youths.