CALL TO TEMPERANCE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LII, Issue 15885, 5 April 1915, Page 6

CALL TO TEMPERANCE.

MOVEMENT IN BRITAIN.

RESPONSE TO ROYAL LEAD,

MEMORIAL TO GOVERNMENT

SUGGESTED REFORMS.

(Received April 4, 30 pm.)

London, April 3.

Temperance reformers have forwarded a memorandum to Mr. Asquith urging that the time is opportune for a reasonable measure of reform in the direction of Sunday closing, vigorous curtailment of the sale of intoxicants on other days, compulsory closing of public houses in the vicinity of camps and barracks, and the refusal of new licenses during the war. Tho memorandum considers that total and immediate prohibition is impracticable. It believes that if tho principle of compensation is accepted it will be possible to obtain drastio temperance legislation by general agreement. The signatories include many leading churchmen, free churchmen, physicians, artists, musicians, and society leaders. The King's example is resulting in a remarkable anti-drink movement in the majerity of the shipyards. The workers at Glasgow are refusing to [enter the public houses, and are [crowding into the tea-rooms. Mr. Lloyd George and all members of the Cabinet now in London have intimated their intention to follow the King's example, and many leading men have announced their intention of acting similarly.

Earl Grey suggests that disinterested management be applied to public houses in areas where munitions of war are manufactured. He says the public houses might be taken over for the duration of the war, the holders being compensated, the amount being average profit for the last three years.

The Labour leaders, whilst insisting that the declining output of work is mainly due to the men being overworked and unable to sustain the strain, assert that they are quite ready to welcome total prohibition if necessary for beating the Germans.