THE RUSSIAN LIQUOR MONOPLY.

Ohinemuri Gazette, Volume VII, Issue 275, 26 September 1896, Page 6

THE RUSSIAN LIQUOR MONOPLY.

On July 13th the entire liquor trade of European Russia became a Government monopoly, and the fact wasNcelebrated by tne holding of Divine service in the chief ,'pirit storey belonging to the Crown. The excise duty on spirits in Russia is the largest figure in the State revenue, the amount averaging nearly £41,000,000 sterling, so that the Government are undertaking, no light task, in assuming the , management of so gigantic a business. It is stated that it is hoped by tho establishment of this great monoply to stop the encouragement given to drunkenness by the lower class of tavern keepers, through the sale of liquor on credit or' in exchange for articles bartered or deposited as security. It is intended that the liquors sold shall be greatly improved in quality, and that in future'they will not be adulterated, as hitherto, with injurious and, in some cases, poisonous ingredients. Special supervision, it. is said, is to be exercised over the sobriety of the people, in each province, and this will aid the task of inducing moderation in drinking. The Minister of Financd believes, it appears, that this moderation will increase the total quantity of spirituous liquor drunk, and that the Imperial revenue will duly profit. It is not quite, easy to understand how greater moderation in drinking and an increased consumption of spirits are to go hand in hand. The two things certainly appear incompatible. This State liquor monopoly is apparently not a new thing in Russia, as it was tried in 1819 and in 1827. It failed then, however, because of the utter inability of the State to find trustworthy servants to carry out the business. • To-d.ay the authorities recognise that in this difficulty lies the greatest obstacle to the success of the undertaking, but it is claimed that during the last few decades Russian opinion, as to the duties' of the State has - greatly changed, and the altered views have apparently tended to greater official honest . As to this, time alone will show whether the claim is justified.