LIQUOR TRADE IN BRITAIN

Taranaki Daily News, 16 August 1929, Page 11

LIQUOR TRADE IN BRITAIN

INQUIRY BY COMMISSION; ALL INTERESTS REI’RUiiiNTE)). ' ’ 'X ■ » ■INVESTIGATION MAY LAST YEAB& (British Official Wireless.) Rugby, Aug. 14. . The highly controversial liquor question is to be the subject of examination Dy a Royal Commission, in accordance with the promise made in the speech from tlie Throne after the present Labour Government had taken office. Mr. J. R. Clynes, Home Secretary, announced recently that Lord Amulrce, formerly Sir William Mackenzie, would act as chairman of the commission.. Lord Amulrce is one of the foremost experts on industrial arbitration and the history of law relating to liquor licens- - ing. The names of the ten members ot the commission are now announced. Liquor interests will bo represented by Mr. . Thomas Skarray, president of the Brewers’ Society, and John Morgan, chairman of the National Council of the Retail: Liquor Trade. Tlie temperance representatives on the commission will be the Rev. Henry Carter, secretary of . the Temperance Co.uncil .of Christian Churches, and Mr. Arthur Sherwell, who Has written much on the liquor trade. The other six members include two prominent trade unionists, Sir Edwin Stockton, who is a Manchester merchant, a club secretary, Mr. Bryson, chairman of the Birmingham licensing bench, and Mrs. Barton, secretary oi . the Co-operative Women’s Guild. These six members constitute a central balancing body between tho temper- , mice interests on tlie one hand and the liquor interests on the other hand. Having regard to the importance of the question involved and the magnitude of the interests concerned it is understood ten more members will be appointed, representing all sides of opinion, to reinforce this central balancing body. The inclusion of a medical.; representative is also advocated in some quarters. 1 , ' The terms of reference of the commission arc, however, “To inquire into /the working of the laws relating to the supply and sale of intoxicating liquors and " into the social and economic aspects of the question, and to examine and report on proposals which may be made ror amending the law in England and Wales in tlie public interest.”'. The medical aspect of the question is therefore hardly within the scope of the inquiry. No members of Parliament will sit on tho commission, it being hold that they might be subjected to pressure by the electors. The inquiry is expected to last as long as two or three years. It will be for the commissioners to decido whether they shall visit the United States to see prohibition in practice.