WINE LICEMSES AND DRINK SUPPLYING.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVIII, Issue 8582, 2 June 1891, Page 3

WINE LICEMSES AND DRINK SUPPLYING.

TO THE EDITOE. , Sir,—lt is a proved fact that grapes cane not be grown in the North Island, excepting under glass, which would be too expensive for wine-making. As a substitute you would have fictitious wines, which would be fortified with alcohol, and be more injurious than the real wines of commerce. When Mr. Gladstone's Government in 1863 and 1864 granted wine and beer licenses, such became the curse of England and its metropolis. ! Every observer knows there are even now in Auckland too many of these decoy shops for 'the" good 'of our youth. To conduct the traffic to the satisfaction of the respectable portion of the community, let there be respectable and responsible landlords, men who have a real stake in their business, and who'can obtain a fair remuneration for• theic time and capital without resorting to under- ♦': hand dealing. The British people are a beer drinking .people, in fact good beer may be considered a portion of their food. -Let the Commissioners see that good beer is offered to the public instead of the trash that is sometimes sold under the name of beer. It is well-known that 20 years ago thousands of people lived within the city who now live in the suburbs. If the licensed houses are too * strict in Auckland, shift some of them into the suburbs. I have known churches as well as taverns shifted out of the city of London to ■ follow the population in the suburbs. Then ; the hardworking man or woman*'may obtain, a glass of good beer, which is now out of their reach. What is the consequence ?" 'To quench their thirst they-resort to hop beer, the vilest compound ever offered as a beverage, it being in most cases in a high state of fermentation, and very often putrefactive fermentation. Imagine a woman suckling a child partaking of some of this in such a state.- It means that the bodies of both individuals become disorganised for the time being. Let the Commissioners see that convenient accommodation' is' provided for the masses of the people, and that they get fair value for their earnings, and they will.be conferring a lasting boon on the community.' ■ Our commissioners are practical businessmen. Let them not hide their knowledge under the cloak of darkness if they have an interest in their position, and are too goody goody or too indifferent to ascertain for themselves ; ; the position of the liquor traffic in Auckland. After the duly licensed houses are shut up, I will chaperone them to where they can gefc any kind of intoxicating liquor at any hour, - ; and the authorities for the protection of the people know it.—l am, 'etc.,.\ E. A.