SIR R. STOUT'S ENGLISH CRITICISMS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVII, Issue 14322, 18 March 1910, Page 3

SIR R. STOUT'S ENGLISH CRITICISMS.

••s :i »• &■*] -♦ « 1 •>-* 1 .' * y 4" * — v|t Sir, —In your issue of to-day's date ? I notice'another sample of Sir Robert Stout's observations on England. f, Sir Robert commences by implying that ? Mr. Balfour " was governed in his political * behaviour by - the influence of; the brewers, in that •he said: " There were two things in the Budget to; which his main objections ; were giveh—-the tax on land increment and the tax on licenses." That in Sir Robert Stout's opinion "to some extent put the show away." It perhaps • had not-occurred to Sir Robert Stout that to : a statesman,' in England, the question of the justice of any 3proceeding; might have some bearing on the manner of his acceptance of it. Further, "on speaking of drunkenness, Sir Robert Stout says that " when 1 a man or womangot into such a condition which would cause his immediate arrest in Now Zealand, they were not; molested by tho London policeman." : This statement, is not correct. Everybody, except apparently Sir ' Robert Stout, has seen the New, Zealand policeman pass drunken men without interfering, and • probably that is merely "due to the law ;of the ; land, which in both cases does not ' provide •: for any action unless-a-person is not only drunk, but also causing a disturbance or an obstruction or is incapable, or other breach of the jaw. I agree with Sir Robert Sout; I? do think the amount 'of, alcoholv consumed in New Zealand is large, and although 7, oven accepting as correct; Sir. Robert's statement that the amount consumed per head i is fchreo times 'larger in England than in: New Zealand, I still think that New 4 Zealand £ has the worst • showing, and for the following reason:—ln New ! Zealand the class that ! does the • drinking is ; not an uneducated and poverty-stricken one, but : one that should know better. I see more respectably dressed : and apparently educated people drunk; in New Zealand than in any country in Europe, and I think it . a pity Sir Robert did not capture a few of the temperance advocates, • who have dono so well for England, and bring them out here, as the; ones they havo got don't make much headway. . • Fairpiat. To Kuiti, March .7. ; _ •.