The Alcohol Monopoly in Switzerland.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XX, Issue 6770, 6 September 1893, Page 4

The Alcohol Monopoly in Switzerland.

The British Minister at Berne, in a recent report to Lord Rosebery, says that there is a very wide difference in regard to object and effect between the Gothenburg system and the alcohol monopolies of the Swiss Confederation. The latter apply exclusively to the importation, purchase, and resale of raw spirits ; but the Regie does not supply the market directly with spirits in a potable form, but only with the essential materials for their final preparation. It has no control over the ultimate distribution of the spirit, nor over the manner in which it is dealt with after passing under the Regie. It does not apply to wine or beer ; and though it extends to native spirit extracted from beur, potatoes, itc, it does not touch spirit extracted from homegrown fruits. The objects were principally fiscal and sanitary. In the latter respect the monopoly has had the advantage of ensuring the purity of the spirit supplied to the retail trade, although it has not the authority necessary to guard against dilution or adulteration before it reaches the individual consumer, nor has it any power to restrict or control the amount of consumption. There was the further object- of diminishing the amount of general consumption ; and, with certain reservations, it would appear that a considerable decrease of consumption has practicilly taken place since the introduction of the Federal monopoly. In order to ensure the moral aim of the monopoly, the law establishing it provids that onetenth of the profits of the monopoly, which are distributed among the cantonal governments, must be applied by them in combating the causes and effects of alcoholism. The sum which, according to the provisions of the law, ought to have been spent by the cantons in combating the causes and effects of alcoholism amounted for 1891 to £22,G05. Of this about L 18,500 has been expended on objects more or less connected with the prescribed aim, and L4OOO is still held in reserve. But of the L 18,500 only about L 4.600 has been devoted in combating the causes of alcoholism, and the remainder has been applied to the relit f of sufferers from the effects of intemperance, and to objects which have only a remote connection with the aim of the law. The Federal Council condemns this mode ef appropriation, and •while insisting on the necessity of devoting a large proportion of the tenths to combating the causes of alcoholism, suggests a number of objects for the purpose. The powers which thecommunes of several cantons like that of Berne possess and exercise in the case of habitual inebriates, in order to safeguard the general interests of the community, are considerable. If the communal authorities have sufficient grounds to satisfy them that any member of the commune is dissipating his means of livelihood in such a manner as to render it probable that he or his family will eventually become chargeable on the communal funds, they can interfere administratively by placing him and his property under guardianship, and in the case of an habitual drunkard can put him into an asylum for inebriates. Tho canton of the town of B;islohas given its Government the monopoly of the retail of the Federal alcohol, thus offeringasurer guarantee of its purity to the eventual consumer. The authorities can by this means follow the spirit through later stages on its way to its ultimate destination ; but it does not appear that the law has given them any power of control over the distribution by the individual purchasers from the Cantonal Regie, or that the effect of this monopoly, which does not touch wine or beer, has been to diminish the number of public-houses or the consumption of intoxicating liquors. Mr Scott d' es not think it probable that tho Swiss of any Canton would readily accept any legal restrictions on their individual liberty in the consumptiorTof food or drink.

Russia has about 1.000.QP0 titled person agea out of a population of 100,000,000.

An artful fellow has been victimising the simple people of Auckland. For some time past he has been vending what is called the "Rock of Madagascar," a small piece of which he advertised as possessing infallible preventalive properties in case of sickness. So successful hu.s lie been in palming off ihis wonderful suhstance, that he sold great quantities of it— not with the object of making money, but merely to benefit mankind in general, and the simple Ar.cklanders in particular. In one case, however, the " Rock " was purchased for the express purpose of keeping aw.iy the prevailing epidemic of measles, and the day after, the purchaser and two of her children were stricken with the complaint. A piece of the "Rock" was thereupon sent to Mr Pond, colonial analyst, who found it to be simply impure alum, containing a little iron. It can be purchased for 20s per cwt., and the enterprising philanthropist was making a profit of £4',l 16s on every .£l. A disastrous accident occurred at the Madrid circus recently. Whilst the performance was taking place, and the vast auditorium was crowded with spectators, a large piece of the ceiling came away without any warning, and fell with a crash on to the people below in the best part of the house, where the occupants of the seats were principally .young members of the nobility. The people in the adjoining parts of the hall were seized with panic, fearing that more of tho ceiling would collapse, and a rush was made for the doors. A terrible scene ensued. The weaker were knocked down and trampled upon in the desperate struggle to get out of the building. When the greater part of tho audience had reached the open, a calmer feeling set in, and efforts wcro made to rescue those who had been injured. It was found that seven young men of title were injured, and a number of others slightly hurt. There are some perfumes that are very grateful to horses, however little credit a horse may commonly receive for possessing delicacy of scent. Herse trainers are aware of the fact, and make use of their knowledge

in training stubborn and apparently intractable animals. Many trainers have favorite perfumes, the composition of which they keep a secret, and it. is the possession of this means of appealing to tho horse's aesthetic sense that enables so many of them to accomplish such wonderful results. Nearly everyone has heard of Baroness Burdctt Coutts. The old lady, who was seventy-nine last 24th April, is a constant playgoer, a great reader of fiction, essays, and newspapers, and is not a bad friend to the London poor. Still she is extremely old-fashioned in regard to dress. Her gowns arc always made up in styles out of vogue, and she still clings to many of the old forms of speech, for she will beg you to pass the " cowcumber," and speaks of the favorite luncheon dish as " chicking." The Baroness, gossips tells us, was at one time tho Queen's dearest and most confidential friend, but she lost Court favor through marrying " Willie "—Mr Ashmcad-Bartlott — twelve years ago, a youth who was nearly 40 years her junior. Chicago has a population of 2,100,000, and s therefore the largest city in the States.