THE BREWERY AMALGAMATION.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18876, 31 May 1923, Page 2

THE BREWERY AMALGAMATION.

TO THE EDTTOB. g IB> — Great interest is toeing; taken in the amalgamation of breweries which is to take place in New Zealand. It will not be out of place, therefore, to inquire in what way the solvemo' is to improve the evil conditions in connection with the sale of alcoholic liquor. The object of the Bcherne is partly to allow tha public a voice in the management of "the trade," its interest being sufficient, we are told, to ensure an improvement in the conditions now existing How any sane person can believe such a statement it is hard to see, as one moment's thought only is necessary to expose the absurdity of the whole thing. The public will have, the opportunity of obtaining shares in the combine, but that the shareholders will consent to any reform of "the trade" which will mean less profit to themselves is absurd. There «re only a few ways in which this trade can be improved—shorter hours, reduction of licenses, refusal to serve intoxicated persons, etc. Each ono of these reforms means less consumption of liquor, consequently less profit to the investors. Therofore, it is absolutely a'bmrd to expect the investors (or rather the public) to promote or support such reforms! who, then, are the persons to improve "(lib trade"? The oresent owners will not, and it is certain that the future owners cannot, if they consider their financial interests. Of course, the whole scheme is a move ou the part of the trade, first to bring in the public as ardent supporters of continuance,' and thereby delay or stop permanently the prohibition reform; or, if this fails, to leave the bulk of the capital, rendered useless by prohibition, on the hands of the poor deluded investors. Everyone knows that as a paying proposition the liquor business has few equals, so it is certain that the brewery shares will find ready acceptance with these membei'3 «of the community who are not over-particular: as to the means whereby they make their money. Many of these investors will change from being only slightly interested individuals in regard to prohibition' to red-hot supporters of continuance. "The trade" cannot itself stop the steady increase in prohibition, votes. Had it been able to do so, prohibition certainly would not have increased its votes by 30,000. it did last December, but henceforth the public will fight "the trade's" (battles for it. It will be interesting to see what attitude the Labour Party, unions, and the unionists themselves will take in regard to the proposed combine. The spectacle of labouring men and those supporting the Labour Party's platform, and consequently avowed. enemies of the capitalist, speaking in defence of this capitalistic concern always has caused thinking men and women to doubt the Labour man's sincerity or his sanity. "The trade" always has opposed, and always will oppose any reform of the liquor evil, simnly because such reform is certain to affect "it financially.—l am, etc.. COMMONSEKSE.