BRITAIN'S DRINK PROBLEM

New Zealand Herald, Volume LII, Issue 15886, 6 April 1915, Page 7

BRITAIN'S DRINK PROBLEM

THE NATION AROUSED.

REMEDIES DISCUSSED.

REACTION FEARED AFTER WAR (Received April 6, 11 p.m.) London", April 5. Following upon an appeal to i citizens, made through the newsl papers, to write to him if they fav- ! oured absolute prohibition, the first mail reaching Mr. Lloyd George brought 15.000 letters. It is stated that political leaders ! agree that financial considerations [ need not hinder the most drastic action being taken in regard to ■ the drink question. The demand I for absolute prohibition strangely enough comes principally from business ami professional men desiring to participate in the great national sacrifice, while many temperance leaders believe that an attempt to force absolute prohibition would lead to a dangerous reaction after the war. Opinion is hardening against complete prohibition, and is growing in favour of personal abstinence with severe legal regulation. The most favoured schemes are Sunday closing, shorter hours of opening dining week days, the wholesale suppression of spirits, and the compulsory brewing of light instead of heavy beers. The .Morning Post docs no! think that personal example will be sufficient . The Daily Citizen, the organ of the Labour Party, declares that wealthy people are restocking their wine cellars and that wine merchants have been rushed with large orders. It adds that the workingman cannot afford a wine cellar. The Allied Brewers' Association and National Union of Brewery Workers have passed a resolution protesting that thousands of men and women may be thrown out of employment because of the drunkenness of a few men-