THE RETAIL LIQUOR TRADE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume V, Issue 1433, 20 June 1868, Page 7

THE RETAIL LIQUOR TRADE.

To the Editor of the Hxiuxi). Sib, —The present system of licensing public houses is a matter which I think should be of contiderabln interest to the vrhole community, inasmuch as-1 verily believe that the indiscriminate manner in j which licenses are now granted tends to debase its morals and impair ita health. I j am, therefore, pleased to find that tho subject has been a little discussed in somo letters lately addreiaed to the newspapers, and that it has alao been brought to the notice of the Provincial Council by Major Cooper. lam of opinion that tho outcry which certain publicans are raising about the high rate charged fo* their licenses is uncalled for; they find out thoy cannot mako a living and blame the license. 1 hey should rather blame their mode of doing business —which is buying in small quantities at nearly retail prices, and in order to make a profit, diluting with abominable rubbish—the chemist knows what. No wonder that former customers of some housos hare left them ; it was not likely they would continue to patronise places where thoy had been half poisoned. The desiderata <rhich I suggest as required by the pre«ent unsatisfactory state of tho retiil liquor trade are, first, a division of the licensed houses into two classes, and, secondly, the appointment, of an Inspector of Liquors. Bespectiag my first proposition, I consider our present Licensing Act a perfect farce. Who but the framers of the Act over thought of calling a house with four rooms an hotel ? I say let the hotel bo what its name implies—the large establishment of a superior class combining the accommodation of ft lodging-house with, thos.3 of an inn. Houses adapted by their size and convenience to rank either as hotels or inna should alone, I think, receive the higher priced license for the retail of wines, spirits, and other liquors. To the smaller class of houses, I think a lower priced licenue {eay i>l6 or £20;, for the sale of malt liquors only, ehould be granted. With regard to my second proposition, I noticed in the Hbrald this morning that the Provincial Secretary, in reply to a question by Major Cooper, said, " that he, Mr. Creighton, was afraid it would be ' difficult ' to get a person properly qualified to taste all liquor?," &c. Is it possible that ilr. Creighton did not understand what he was talking about? No, no, surely "test" was his wordj but even if it wnro, I cannot imagine that there would be any difficulty in finding plonty of people properly qualified. A mim need not be gifted with muoh intellect to enable him to muster the mysteries of the hydrometer ; and if a retailer ha§ used water in the spirits he vends, no sophistication need ho feared. But, wlion this diecussion was .going on, how was it that those members of the Council who are licensed victuallers were n<it in their places to help to put matters right ? lam afraid they know as little of what would benefit their business as thoy do of politics cr the wants of the country. If these suggest! na were embodied in a new Licensing Act, I feel sure that both the respeutable publican and the public would be benefitted. It would raise tho social position of the one, and-ensare to the other the supply of a uniformly good article for its money.—l am, Aα, Licensed Yictoaiibe. June 17, 186 S.