SPARE HALF HOURS.

Otago Witness, Issue 1985, 10 March 1892, Page 43

SPARE HALF HOURS.

By F. A. Joseph.

THJfi DKINK PROBLEM.

Physilologists are ."pretty well agreed now that alcoholic drink is inimical to the human constitution, and the chemist classes alcohol among the irritant narcotic poisons Yet the fact remains tbat the consumption of this poison goes on daily and hourly upon a scale the magnitude of which might well astound a philosopher, and just how to control the traffic in alcoholic liquors is one of the problems that has puzzled the student of social science more than any other. Why highly civilised communities in the full possession of a knowledge of the baneful effects, morally, physically* and mentally, of the habitual use of alcohol, should use this drug in a wholesale manner appears past finding out. Bub we have to go deep into the inner constitution of society for a solution of this puzzling-problem. Heredity and custom are answerable for much tbat constitutes modern society. As in matters of religion, so in social affairs, what suited our fathers is said to be good enough for us. Our fathers imbibed alcohol, and we therefore do likewise, i think if the matter is inquired into carefully no more reasonable explanation than this can be given. On no other theory is the spectacle of a community of alcoholic imbibers conceivable, for no one who has not cultivated a taste for the drug, in whatever form it may be presented, can really enjoy the taste of it, and to the novice tbe first sensations of intoxication are simply distressing. Since long use has established the consuming of alcohol as a national principle, the eradication of the custom can only be brought about by degrees. It has been found impossible to make men sober by act of Parliament, and now attempts to restrict the sale of intoxicants have been futile. This momentous question has been before the public so long, and has been so earnestly discussed both in Parliament and out of it, that it might be considered that nothing new could be brought forward. But when the English reformer is in despair of ever throwing 4 own the barrier that lies between him and the victim to strong drink, his confrere in Norway has made an enormous stride in the direction or controlling the sale of alcoholic liquors.

In tbe December number of the Nineteenth Century Magazine there is an article which gives a very clear outline of the licensing system in force in Norway. For the bsnefit of readers who cannot have access to that magazine, I will give the main points in the system. The writer says: — "Since the legislation of 1886 and 1871 public houses have been practically abolished in the rural districts, and greatlj diminished and regulated in the towns. For instance, in Bergen, with a population of 60,000, there are only 14 licansed houses, all under the strictest regulation. Soon after my arrival I took a drive round the neigh-" bouring heights, and was informed that the wonderfully engineered road, the institutions I saw, and the beautiful public gardens through which I passed were all either maintained or aided by the society which enjoyed the monopoly of selling ardent spirits in the 14 public houses." To the town in Gothenburg in Sweden is due the honour of having first attempted to restrain the sale of intoxicating liquor, and the system then inaugurated and since carried out in an amended form is known as the Gothenburg system. In Gothenburg the municipal council is the licensing authority, and it fixes the number of licenses which is considered sufficient, for the public convenience. These licenses are not, however, issued to individuals, but the "council grants a monopoly to an association of shareholders formed for the purpose of acquiring licenses. In terms of their contract the shareholders oannot enjoy more than 5 per cent, interest on the capital invested. Any profit over and above that amount mast be handed over to the municipal council to be expended by it in tbe reduction of public burdens. The monopoly is granted for a limited number of years, and " ths council retains control over the operations of the society, fixes the number of bars and' shops in which intoxicating liquors may be sold, as well as tbe sites of these establishments, and the appointments of the society's servants are also subject to its approval." The advantage of this system is that neither the society nor the managers of the drinking saloons are interested in the immoderate consumption of ardent spirits, but tbe disadvantage is that the municipal authorities and the ratepayers generally are distinctly interested in the multiplication of drinking bars, as all over 5 per cent, of the profits go into the municipal treasury. In Norway, however, this disadvantage is met, the Norwegians having adopted the strong points of the system and rejected the weak. The municipal councils issue licenses to societies, as in Sweden, for a term of five years. The council retains full control over the operations of the society, and the books are open to the inspection of the council. " Its statistics, bye-law^, and regulations, and the appointments in the society's service, are all subject to the approval of the council, and with the exception of that of the servants, must also obtain the royal sanction and seal. The committee of management is formed of a body of representatives, of whom a certain proportion are now generally elected by the shareholders whilst the remainder are appointed by the municipal council."

The annual surplus instead of going into the local treasury is devoted to making grants to the funds of deserving charities which are dependent upon the voluntary support of the public. ".The purity, of motive of municipal councils in dealing with the drink question (which in consequence of the great financial success of the Gothenburg system is considered to have degenerated in Sweden) is tfcus in Norway retained, and thelicensing authorities are secured against all temptation to stray from the principle which should underlie local option as a Bocial reform."

When the act was passed the cry of compensation to the publican was raised, but after much discussion public opinion decided against the justice of the claim made by the publican and no compensation was awarded, but they had five and a-half years grace given them to prepare for the change. The keystone of the Norwegian system is that the profits deiived from the sale of alcoholic drink go to support charities, many of which owe there origin to the sale of these drinks. The experience of Norway affords a good subject of study for those in our New Zealand Parliament who are desirous of restricting the sale of ardent spirits.